Antara, Jakarta – The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) recorded that as many as 8 cities or regencies in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) are facing drought emergencies during this dry season.
"The drought potential expands in West Nusa Tenggara," said NTB BMKG forecaster Nindya Kirana in a written statement on Monday, September 2, 2024, as quoted by Antara.
According to Nindya, BMKG sets out three levels of drought emergency status; ready (level I), alert (level II), and prepared (level III).
Regions with emergency status Level I: Pajo District in Dompu Regency; Soromandi and Tambora Districts in Bima Regency; Mataram District in Mataram City; Sekotong District in West Lombok; Pujut District in Central Lombok; Jerowaru and Pringgabaya Districts in East Lombok; Moyo Hulu District in Sumbawa; and Maluk District in West Sumbawa.
Meanwhile, regions with emergency status Level II: Swela District in East Lombok; Belo, Palibelo and Sape Districts in Bima Regency.
Regions with emergency status Level III: Dompu, Huu, Kempo, Kilo, Manggelewa, and Woja Districts in Dompu Regency; Bolo, Lambu, Madapangga, and Sanggar Districts in Bima Regency; Raba District in Bima City; Batu Layar, Gerung, Kediri, and Lembar Districts in West Lombok; Janapria, Praya, and Praya Tengah Districts in Central Lombok; Aikmel, Labuhan Haji, West Sakra, Sambelia, Sembalun, Sukamulia Districts in East Lombok Regency; Bayan, Gangga, Kayangan, Pemenang, Tanjung Districts in North Lombok; Alas, Buer, Empang, Labangka, Labuhan Badas, North Moyo, Orong Telu, Rhee, Sumbawa, Unter Iwes, Utan Districts in Sumbawa Regency; and Brang Ene, Brang Rea, Jereweh, Poto Tano, Seteluk Districts in West Sumbawa.
According to Nindya, in the first ten days of September 2024, there is very low potential for rainfall in NTB. Light to moderate rainfall potential occurs in most areas of NTB, especially in the eastern part, with a low chance of rain ("However, in the western part of Lombok Island, some areas record a chance of rainfall ranging from 30-40 percent," she said.
The entire region of West Nusa Tenggara has entered the dry season, so residents are urged to use water wisely. Residents are also warned of forest fire potential that commonly occurs during the dry season.
"The (NTB) residents can utilize water reservoirs such as retention basins, dams, or other types of rainwater reservoirs to anticipate water shortages, especially in drought-vulnerable regions," said the BMKG forecaster.
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1911494/bmkg-8-regions-in-ntb-face-drought-emergenc