BMKG Early Warning: 9 Regencies In NTT Potentially Not Raining For More Than 60 Days

Illustration. (Between)

JAKARTA - The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) issued an early warning of the potential for a day without rain (HTH) with an extreme long category or more than 60 days of hitting nine districts in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

"We need vigilance regarding the threat of drought," said Head of Class II NTT Climatology Station, Rahmattulloh Adji from Kupang, Friday.

Based on climate information for NTT Province as of August 31, 2023, successive HTH monitoring of Dasarian III August 2023 in NTT generally experienced HTH in the Very Long category or ranging from 31 days to 60 days.

Meanwhile, areas experiencing HTH with the Long Extreme category or more than 60 days include Ende Regency, namely around Sokoria/Maukaro, Sikka Regency, namely around Magepanda, East Sumba Regency, namely around Malahar and Kamanggih, and Sabu Raijua Regency, namely around Daieko.

Furthermore, there are Rote Ndao Regency, namely around Busalangga, Kupang City around Stakim NTT and Manulai II, Kupang Regency around Sulamu and Batuliti, Belu Regency around Atambua/Motabuik, Fatubenao, and Fatulatu, and Lembata Regency, around Nagawutung.

He explained that the analysis of the Dasarian III rainfall in August 2023 generally in the NTT region experienced low rainfall or ranging from zero to 50 mm.

Meanwhile, based on the Probabilistic/Basic Rainfall Forecast Map in September 2023, the NTT region is generally predicted to experience zero to 20 mm rainfall with an opportunity of 91 to 100 percent.

Low rainfall and HTH in the Long Extreme category certainly have an impact on the agricultural sector with a rainy system, reducing the availability of ground water, causing scarcity of clean water, and increasing the potential for easy fires.

For this condition, Rahmattulloh advised the public to be aware of and anticipate water shortages during this dry season.

He also asked the public to be aware of forest and land fires because of windy conditions this dry season.

"Be aware and anticipate water shortages during this dry season as well as forest and land fires," he said.

Head of BPBD NTT Ambrosius Kodo has appealed to the public to save on the use of clean water. He asked the public to use water as needed and not to waste water for things that are not too important.

Meanwhile, regarding the threat of forest and land fires, Ambrosius advised smokers to ensure that the fire from cigarette butts had been extinguished before being thrown out. Farmers who want to clear agricultural land must also pay attention to things that do not cause fires to spread.

"We continue to monitor the direct impact on the difficulty of accessing clean water," he said.