The natural disaster of tropical cyclone Seroja had a wide impact in East Sumba, resulting in kambaniru dam breaking. The condition of the dam can no longer accommodate water for irrigation needs because the condition is severely damaged,” said East Sumba Regent, Khristofel Praing, Tuesday (6/4). See News.

He added that the damage to Kambaniru Dam resulted in 1,440 hectares of rice fields in Kambera Sub-district could not be planted in the second garden season in 2021.

In addition to the water crisis for agriculture due to the flow of dead irrigation, the wells of residents in the villages around the watershed also experienced a decrease in discharge and also many have dried up.

Emergency relief measures are carried out by installing water reservoir tanks filled with clean water supply through water tank cars, this filling is scheduled, but the power of donor organizations to fill water also has limitations for the duration of time it is able to continue to meet the emergency tanks available today.

Through Rumah Kambera, activities for sanitation and clean water assistance coordination led by Ardy from Charis Sumba and supported by community volunteers namely Sumba Volunteer, Kumpul Tangan, IKML Waingapu. Assistance comes from foundations, across organizations to individuals, including from Yayasan Kawan Baik Indonesia and Fair Future Foundation.

Residents use relief water tanks to be able to meet drinking water needs and daily household needs.

For medium- and long-term projections, deep groundwater drilling is needed at several potential points, which has been initiated by donor organization groups to help accelerate the recovery of water access for residents.

Agricultural land in some places, has begun to improve by planting stronger food products with critical water conditions, such as planting legumes.