Recently, various regions in Indonesia have been experiencing extraordinarily hot weather. Generally, the temperature is considered hot when it exceeds the average daily temperature typically observed in that area. In many tropical regions, including Indonesia, normal hot temperatures can range from 30°C to 35°C, especially during the dry season, and can feel like 40°C.
In East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), the hot weather is usually influenced by the tropical climate typical of eastern Indonesia. Behind the scorching sun, there is a major crisis that we may not yet realize, a serious crisis. Continuous heat leads to prolonged droughts and unpredictable weather. Long droughts cause widespread dryness, making access to clean water increasingly difficult, reducing spring water discharge, and making water scarcity more evident. Residents there have to walk for hours every day just to get enough water for their families. Even children have to fetch water before and after school.
For example, in Bisesmus Village, NTT, there are 852 villagers. The village has good road access and electricity, but to get clean water, they have to walk 2-4 times a day. The government has provided diesel pumps, but operational costs are still very high for villagers who mostly work in plantations. Villagers usually create water reservoirs from spring water, stored in a tank with a volume of 240 cubic meters, before using solar-powered pumps to pump water from the highest point of the village through pipes laid by the villagers working together. The water is then distributed using gravity to the residents. However, this has not yet fully resolved the drought problem there.
Various areas in NTT receive quite high sunlight exposure throughout the year. This can cause air temperatures to rise, especially during the day. During the dry season, dry winds like the northeast monsoon winds can produce hotter and drier weather in some parts of NTT. Sometimes NTT can also experience extreme weather patterns, such as heat waves that can significantly increase air temperatures in a short time.
ADRA Indonesia has partnered with the Kupang Regency Government since 2022 to minimize the impact of the crisis in NTT. In 2023, ADRA Indonesia focused on addressing the drought issue in Kupang Regency by preparing and distributing water storage facilities, providing clean water services, and targeting vulnerable community groups. Join ADRA Indonesia to help fulfill more needs of the residents in NTT. Your small contribution will mean a lot to them
