Bad Weather Hampers Aid Delivery To The Top Of Central Papua

Head of BNPB Lt. Gen. Suharyanto (brown vest left) accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy (brown jacket middle) inspects logistical goods that have been loaded into the Cesna 208 Caravan/ANTARA/HO-BNPB aircraft

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) Muhadjir Effendy said humanitarian support which was planned to be sent directly on the same day was still hampered by bad weather.

Coordinating Minister Muhadjir also explained that the Agandugume District is in the hills with a height of 914 meters above sea level, so that it can endanger flights.

"The weather constraints. There is a weather problem. Because the Agandugume District airport is above 3,000 feet (914 meters above sea level). Due to weather considerations, we will postpone it today, tomorrow morning we will try again," explained Coordinating Minister Muhadjir as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, August 2.

Referring to drought and extreme cold weather, Coordinating Minister Muhadjir explained slightly that this is an annual phenomenon that usually occurs from May, June, to July.

This phenomenon, according to him, is marked by hail accompanied by ice fog which can cause plants and tubers to rot so that it is not suitable for consumption.

In addition, he said, dry air also makes plants unable to grow perfectly.

Based on the data collected, there are as many as 7,500 people affected by drought and extreme cold weather, where the phenomenon that has occurred since June 2023 has killed six people.

This has actually happened periodically. Almost the annual events started from May, June, and July. It started with the arrival of hail and ice fog. This ice fog is more deadly. So these plants and tubers rot and then followed by dry air. At this time of dry air, no plants grow," said Coordinating Minister Muhadjir.