BMKG: Four Regencies In DIY Prepare For Drought Disasters

Illustration: A number of residents took water in the middle of Telaga Tritis which began to dry up in Njaten Hamlet, Ngestirejo, Tanjungsari, Gunung Kidul, Yogyakarta. (ANTARA/Noveradika)

YOGYAKARTA - The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) said a number of areas spread across four districts in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) were in a state of alert for a meteorological drought.

"We urge the public to prepare themselves for the impact of the dryer climate potential, maintain the health of the body, because air temperatures fluctuate quickly," said Head of BMKG Climatology Station Yogyakarta Reni Kraningtyas as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, June 20.

Reni said a number of areas with drought alert status were Prambanan, Berbah, Depok, Kalasan, Ngemplak, Gamping, Seyegan, Minggir in Sleman Regency, Sentolo District, Pengasih, Wates, Kokap (Kulon Progo Regency).

Next, Imogiri, Dlingo, Piyungan, Banguntapan, Sewon, Bantul, Pandak, Kasihan, Sedayu (Batul Regency) sub-districts, as well as Ponjong, Karangmojo, Ngawen, Nglipar, Wonosari, Paliyan, Playen, and Patuk (Gunungkidul) sub-districts.

"The area with the alert status has experienced days without rain for more than 31 days with low rainfall forecasts below 20 mm per basis," he said.

In addition, BMKG also noted a number of areas with drought alert status including Galur and Lendah (Kulon Progo), Pundong, Kretek, Bambanglipuro (B Bantul), and Purwosari (Gunungkidul) sub-districts.

A number of areas with drought alert status have experienced days without rain for more than 21 days with low rainfall forecasts below 20 mm per basis

Reni appealed to the community and the local government (Pemda) in the early warning area to anticipate the impact of the meteorological drought.

He also asked the public to adjust the planting pattern for agriculture.

"Farmers to adjust plant patterns and suitable types of plants are grown in drier climate conditions," said Reni.

DIY BPBD Operations Control Center (Pusdalops) Manager Lilik Andi Aryanto asked people in this province to wisely use clean water to deal with drought during the dry season.

According to Lilik, the potential for drought in DIY this year needs to be anticipated considering that the dry season is no longer expected to be wet as in previous years.

He said mitigation efforts had been discussed in a coordination meeting with district/city BPBDs throughout DIY, the PUP-PESDM DIY Service, and the DIY Social Service.

"Each district says it has prepared itself for dropping water if needed," said Lilik.