BMKG: Beware Of Long Extreme Rainless Days In Parts Of NTT

Illustration - Water supply in reservoirs that shrink during the dry season. ANTARA/Kornelis Kaha

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has asked residents to be aware of extreme long days without rain (HTH) that could cause drought in some areas in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

"Some areas in NTT experience extreme long HTH due to not having rain for more than 60 days which needs to be watched out for because they have the opportunity to cause a meteorological drought," said Head of the BMKG NTT Climatology Station Rahmattulloh Adji in Kupang as reported by ANTARA, Friday, June 30.

This is related to the results of consecutive HTH monitoring on the Third Basis of June 2023 in the NTT region.

Adji said, in general, the NTT region experienced very short HTH categories (1-5 days), but some areas experienced extreme long HTH.

Some of these areas include Nanganio and Sokoria in Ende, Rambangaru and Kamanggih Regencies in East Sumba Regency, around the Tardamu Sabu Meteorological Station in Sabu Raijua Regency, and Olafulihaa and Busalanga in Rote Ndao Regency.

He appealed to residents in these areas to be aware of the threat of drought that has caused various impacts such as reduced groundwater supplies which cause a shortage of clean water.

"Therefore, the use of clean water needs to be saved so that existing supplies can meet the needs during the dry season," he said.

Long HTHekstrem also has an impact on agricultural land with a rainy system so that farmers need to work around it by planting plants that do not need a lot of water to have more chance of harvesting.

Adji said the threat of drought also increased the potential for forest and land fires to be prevented by avoiding actions that could cause hotspots in open areas.

"Avoid throwing cigarette butts carelessly in open areas and clearing or clearing the land by burning," he said.