Jakarta, Aug. 7 -- Indonesia's Ministry of Public Works is addressing droughts in 492 locations across the nation amid the ongoing El Nino weather phenomenon.

Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo underscored the need for swift, targeted, and integrated drought response to ensure uninterrupted public water supplies and safeguard agricultural productivity.

"In a rapidly changing and uncertain world, water serves as a vital foundation for sustainable development," Hanggodo said in Jakarta on Friday.

To maintain the water availability for public needs and the agricultural sector during the dry season, the Ministry has taken various measures, including emergency response, adaptive water resource management, and strengthened coordination b...