Yemris Fointuna, Kupang – After a lengthy drought the situation in East Nusa Tenggara has become critical, with tens of thousands of hectares of paddy fields drying up and residents facing water shortages.

In Kupang regency, West Timor, residents must walk two to three kilometers to fetch water. Similar scenes are playing out in Timor Tengah Selatan regency and northern areas of Fores island.

In Amanuban Selatan district, Timor Tengah Selatan regency, more than 3,000 hectares of rice fields have dried up because there is not enough water in Noelmina River to irrigate the fields.

District head Marthen Aoetpah expressed fear Friday the long drought would spark a food crisis. "Farmers have built a dike along the river to collect water, but to no avail." In Timor Tengah Utara regency, at least 12 villages are reportedly facing food shortages. The regency administration has already distributed free rice to 5,000 residents.

"The administration has distributed about 18 tons of rice," said Primus Siribein, head of the regency's food security agency.

According to data from the East Nusa Tenggara Food Security Agency, more than 110,600 people in 157 villages in eight regencies are facing serious food shortages as a result of the drought.

On Flores island, drought has affected 32 villages in Lembor district, West Manggarai regency, where up to 6,000 hectares of paddy fields have dried up.

"The local administration tried to pump water from wells, but it was ineffective because of the dwindling water supplies," said Deputy Regent Yoseph Ansar Rera.

Some experts have predicted the drought will peak by the end of November, giving way to the rainy season. However, the local meteorology and geophysics agency says the drought could continue through to next month.

"Normally, it would have already started raining by now, but it hasn't turned out that way this year. Even the wind is strong and dry," agency head Albert Kusbagio said.