"Based on the forecast of the Kupang Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), NTT will enter the dry season in April 2023 that will last for a long period, which means drought potential is very large," acting chief of the NTT BPBD, Ambros Kodo, said here on Thursday.
Therefore, BPBD has prepared various anticipatory steps and a handling plan for the predicted drought.
He said a drought mitigation working group that involves all related agencies must be activated to conduct analysis and studies of conditions on the field.
"Based on the drought mitigation working group's study, BPBD will recommend the regional heads to determine the status of disasters, whether it is an emergency alert or emergency response," Kodo said.
He highlighted that many parties feel that drought is not a disaster because it happens slowly in NTT.
However, residents will start to realize the situation when they experience hindered access to clean water and crop failure, he added.
Kodo said that cross-sector coordination and cooperation are essential to anticipate the drought that could hit some districts in East Nusa Tenggara.
"We have coordinated with the NTT Agriculture and Food Security Office to take anticipatory steps against the El Nino phenomenon impact, such as disrupted agricultural productivity that threatens food availability," he added.
Meanwhile, neighboring West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) will also face the dry season from May to September 2023.
Deputy Governor of West Nusa Tenggara Sitti Rohmi Djalilah has asked all related parties to be at the forefront in facing the dry season.
Chief of NTB BPBD Ruslan Abdul Gani said that the agency is ready to face the dry season this year.
"Alhamdulillah (Thank God), the province, including the districts and cities, is ready to face the dry season," he added.
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Translator: Benediktus J, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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