BMKG Issues Drought Warning For Alert Category In NTB

Weather maps in the NTB area (ANTARA/HO-Humas BMKG NTB)

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) stated that a number of areas in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) became an early warning area for drought in the Alert and Alert category in the 2023 dry season. "In the peak period of the dry season this year, the people of NTB are advised to use water wisely, effectively, and efficiently," said BMKG forecaster for West Nusa Tenggara Climatology Station Nindya Kirana in a written statement in Mataram, Antara, Friday, September 1. Several areas that are included in the early warning of drought at the Alert level, he continued, need attention, namely in East Lombok Regency (Sambelia and Pringgabaya Districts), North Lombok Regency ( Bayan District), and Sumbawa Regency (Utan, Buer, and North Moyo Districts), as well as Bima Regency (Palibelo District) and Bima City (East Rasanae and Asakota Districts). Meanwhile, the drought alert level is located in Dompu (Kecamatan Kilo, Manggalewa, and Woja), Bima Regency (Kecamatan Donggo, Lambitu, Soromandi, and Wawo), and Bima City (Kecama District, and Mpunda). In addition, Mataram City (Mataram District), West Lombok Regency (West Batu Layar, Gerung, Lembar, and Narmada Districts), Central Lombok Regency (Cukliang, Janapria, and West Praya Districts), and East Lombok Regency (Gerowaru District, Labuhan Haji, West Sakra, Sembalun, Sikur, Suela, and Sukamulia), Then also in North Lombok Regency (Ganga, Winner, and Tanjung District), as well as Sumbawa Regency (Alas, Batulanteh, Moyohulu, Orong Telu, Sumbawa, and Unter Iwes Districts), and West Sumbawa Regency (Brang Ene District, Brang Rea, Jereweh, Maluk, Poto Tano, and Taliwang). "The Alert Level is located in East Lombok Regency in Terara District and Central Lombok Regency in Jonggat District, as well as West Lombok Regency in Sekotong District," he said. On the basis of September 2023 (1-10 September 2023), the opportunity for rain is predicted to be very low. It is estimated that rainfall with an intensity of more than 20 millimeters/based on which there is a probability of an incident of less than 90 percent which is evenly distributed throughout the NTB region.

"The public also needs to be aware of the occurrence of forest and land and drought fires, which generally occur during the peak period of the dry season," he said.