The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has predicted dry weather, even droughts, in several areas of the country over the next few weeks.
“Based on our monitoring of consecutive dry days and our rain predictions, there are indications of meteorological drought in the next 20 days,” the BMKG said in a written statement on Wednesday.
BMKG identified Kupang city in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) as the region with the highest risk of drought, with an alert level of Awas (Danger).
Fifteen regencies and municipalities in East Java, 11 in NTT, eight in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), six in Central Java, five in Yogyakarta and one in Bali are on the alert status Siaga (Watch).
Meanwhile, nine regencies and municipalities in East Java, eight in NTT and two each in NTB, Maluku, West, Java and Central Java were classified as Waspada (Caution).
The BMKG has urged the public as well as regional governments to anticipate the potential effects of drought, such as wildfires and a lack of water for farming.
