El Nino Strengthens, BMKG Sets NTB Extreme Drought Alert

Illustration of extreme drought (ANTARA)

MATARAM - The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has designated Bima Regency as the only region in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) with a meteorological drought alert status as the El Nino phenomenon strengthens, exacerbating the dry season in the area.

Praktirawan of the NTB Meteorology Station, Suci Agustiarini, said that Donggo District became the region with the longest day without rain in NTB, reaching 40 consecutive days.

"In NTB, only Bima Regency is in the meteorological drought alert category," said Suci.

BMKG said that all areas of NTB are currently entering the dry season. This condition is strengthened by the El Nino phenomenon which has the potential to increase the risk of drought, especially in a number of areas that have not experienced rain for a long time.

In addition to Donggo District, which is on standby status, BMKG also designated a number of sub-districts in Bima Regency in the drought alert category, namely Belo, Bolo, Langgudu, Palibelo, and Parado Districts.

The alert status also applies to Dompu Regency, including Kempo and Manggalewa Districts. Meanwhile, in Sumbawa Regency, the areas that fall into the alert category are Empang, Lape, and Plampang Districts.

Praktirawan of the NTB Climate Station, Cakra Mahasurya, explained that the latest monitoring results showed that the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon was in a weak category with an index of 1.04. However, this condition is expected to increase to moderate El Nino starting in June 2026.

"All of NTB is currently entering the dry season which is strengthened by the El Nino phenomenon," said Cakra.

In addition to ENSO, BMKG also monitors the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) phenomenon which is currently in a negative phase with an index of -0.926. This condition is expected to change to a positive phase starting July 2026 which can affect rainfall patterns in the southern part of Indonesia.

As the potential for drought increases, BMKG urges the public to anticipate the possibility of a clean water crisis by saving water use and managing water resources wisely.

Residents are also asked to increase vigilance against the potential for forest and land fires (karhutla), including not burning garbage or leaving the source of fire without supervision.

Even though the dry season has started to strengthen, BMKG still predicts that some areas of NTB have the opportunity to experience light rain in the period of 11-20 June 2026.

The chance of rain with an intensity of more than 20 millimeters per day is estimated to range from 10 to 30 percent, especially in parts of North Lombok Regency, Central Lombok, West Sumbawa, Sumbawa, as well as parts of Bima and Dompu Regency.

BMKG reminds the public and local governments to continue to monitor the development of weather and climate information to anticipate the effects of drought that have the potential to increase during the dry season.