» 09/05/2011 12:36 INDONESIA Water shortages in Jakarta make life hard after Idul Fitri celebrations by Mathias Hariyadi
Kalimalamang dam is breached, causing water shortages in the Indonesian capital. Damages were repaired in four days, but problems persist. Thousands line up with buckets and cans. The presidential palace and parliament are also forced to ration water.
Jakarta (AsiaNews) – Millions of people in Jakarta are without drinking water because of a breach in the Kalimalamang Dam, east of the capital. The problem makes a return to normal life difficult to most of the residents following Idul Fitri, known locally as Lebaran, the celebration that marks the end of Ramadan. Lebaran in Jakarta and across Indonesia is not a one-day event, but can last seven to ten days. Many people go on a holiday at home or abroad. Under normal circumstances, life should get back to normal today, but water shortages will be felt in the metropolis of almost ten million people.
The dam that supplies the capital had a breach last week and state-owned PAM Water Company had to cut the flow of water. Damages were repaired in four days, but millions of Jakartans are still without water, forced to queue with buckets and other containers in front of water taps and fountains spared by the cuts. In some areas, lining up for water lasted four hours, an event not seen in the capital for decades.
The lucky ones have a natural source of water in their gardens, but most people have to find alternatives ways to get water or buy it from water trucks driving around the city.
Water shortages have forced residents to change the way they live. For those used to showering two or three times a day, they are lucky if they can do it once a day, a problem much felt in a place where temperatures can reach between 35 to 59ºC.
The presidential palace, Jakarta City Hall and parliament have all had the same problem of water shortages.
Presidential spokesperson Julian Aldrin Pasha said however that the matter has not stopped normal activities.
