Alert! Drought Threats In NTT Last Until The End Of October 2023

Illustration of drought in NTB (ANTARA)

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reminded the people of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) to increase awareness of the threat of drought until the end of October 2023.

"We need vigilance regarding the threat of drought because it affects the agricultural sector and the availability of groundwater," said Head of Class II NTT Climatology Station, Rahmattulloh Adji, quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, October 4.

The threat of drought is related to forecasting rainfall opportunities in most areas in NTT which are very low or less than 20 mm per basis with opportunities of more than 90 percent.

This condition is predicted to occur in Dasarian I October or October 1 to 10, 2023, while the second basis is from 11 to the end of October 2023.

This warning has been conveyed by BMKG through the Meteorological Drought Early Warning in NTT update September 30, 2023.

From the data on the analysis of the Third Basis in September 2023, it was recorded that several areas of NTT experienced Rainless Days (HTH) in a row for more than 31 days for more than 60 days.

Based on the analysis of the data, BMKG saw the need to increase awareness of the threat of drought in October 2023.

He said the NTT region was still in the dry season and there was an opportunity for the rainy season to enter which was late or shifted to November-December.

Based on existing early warnings, Fatuleu District in Kupang Regency and Golewa District in Ngada Regency received low rainfall Alert status on Basisian I and II October 2023.

Furthermore, there are 42 sub-districts spread over 17 districts in NTT with low rainfall alert status. On the 42 sub-districts, days without rain are forecasted for more than 31 days.

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