Indonesia's Cipancuh Dam Shrinks in Drought, Locals Harvest Trapped Fish

As the dry season grips Indramayu, Indonesia, the Cipancuh Dam has transformed from a water source into a fishing ground. Hundreds of residents are flocking to the dam's dried-up basin, now reduced to mere puddles, to catch fish and shrimp trapped by the receding waters.

“

I'm looking for shrimp, fish. But mostly shrimp.

The 700-hectare dam, typically a vital water source for agricultural land in several sub-districts, now presents a starkly different scene. Villagers, armed with nets and traps, spend their days harvesting the abundant aquatic life. For many, it's a welcome, albeit temporary, bounty.

Muji, a local resident, explained that this phenomenon is routine during the dry season, making the catch easier. "I'm looking for shrimp, fish. But mostly shrimp," he said. While some of the catch is consumed at home, selling it is challenging. "If there are buyers, the price offered is much lower," Muji noted, adding that fish fetching around 25,000 rupiah per kilogram in the market are sold for only 10,000 to 15,000 rupiah.

“

If there are buyers, the price offered is much lower.

The spectacle of villagers fishing in the dry dam bed also draws onlookers. Yanto, 37, visited with his family to witness the unusual sight. "It's nice to see people catching fish," he commented. However, beneath the surface of this seasonal windfall lies a growing concern: the dwindling water supply from the dam could impact irrigation for the region's farms.

“

It's nice to see people catching fish.