BMKG Predicts 11 Regions In NTT To Experience Extreme Drought More Than 60 Days

Illustration - Dry agricultural land during the dry season in Kupang Regency, Timor Island, NTT. (AMONG)

KUPANG - Kupang Climatology Station The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) appealed to residents in 11 regions in East Nusa Tenggara to be aware of the impact of the meteorological drought that hit the area.

"There are 11 regions in NTT that have a meteorological drought alert status with conditions of days without rain for more than 61 days," said Head of Class II Kupang Climatology Station BMKH Rahmattulloh Adji in Kupang, Antara, Monday, August 23.

The 11 regions are Kupang City, Kupang Regency, Rote Ndao, North Central Timor, South Central Timor, Belu, Sabu Raijua, Alor, Lembata, East Flores and East Sumba.

These areas, he said, experienced days without rain with extreme long categories or more than 60 days.

Rahmattulloh explained that currently the season zone in NTT is already in the dry season period based on monitoring results as of August 20, 2021.

The forecast for rainfall opportunities, he said, showed that in general the NTT region was expected to experience very low rainfall (less than 20 mm/dasarian) with a 71-100 percent chance.

"Therefore, vigilance is needed regarding the threat of drought," he said.

Anticipatory steps, he said, need to be taken such as being alert to forest and land fires, saving on the use of clean water, and agricultural cultivation activities that do not require a lot of water.