Entering The Peak Of The Dry Season, 7 Districts In NTT Are Predicted To Be Drought

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has given early warnings of drought in seven sub-districts spread across Kupang City and Kupang Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

"A number of sub-districts in Kupang City and Kupang Regency have a drought alert status with conditions of more than 21 days without rain (HTH)," said Head of the BMKG NTT Climatology Station Rahmattulloh Adji, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, July 4.

He mentioned a number of these areas, including Maulafa District in Kupang City, West Fatuleu District, West Kupang, Central Kupang, Semau, South Semau and Sulamu in Kupang Regency.

Adji explained that currently 100 percent of the total season zones (zom) in NTT have been in the 2023 dry season period based on updated analysis as of June 30.

Therefore, he said, vigilance is needed related to the threat of drought which has various impacts, such as reducing the availability of groundwater, causing a shortage of clean water.

In addition, it has an impact on the agricultural sector with a rainy system so that farmers need to pay attention to it when choosing suitable plants to grow.

The drought, he said, also increases the potential for forest and land fires to occur so that local governments and residents need to anticipate it.

"Avoid activities that create hotspots such as clearing land by burning, throwing cigarette butts carelessly in open areas, and so on," he said.