Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy for Meteorology at the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), Guswanto, has underlined the need for anticipating the side effects of a potential drought during the dry season.

During a discussion event streamed on Monday, he said that severe drought can cause problems ranging from a water crisis to food and electricity supply issues.

Drought could also cause harvest failure and disrupt the supply of food ingredients.

In addition, Guswanto said that water in reservoirs and dams, which cater to hydroelectric power plants, may shrink or even dry up in case of a drought, which could hinder power supply.

The risk of forest and land fires could also increase during drought.

Lands in some parts of Lampung as well as parts of Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara have started to experience dry conditions, Guswanto noted.

Meanwhile, regions in the equator, such as Pontianak and Palangka Raya, are still experiencing rain, he said.

"We should perhaps manage this rain through ponds so that they (water) are not wasted," he said.

He also stressed the importance of remaining alert against the threat of disasters during the peak of the dry season, which is estimated in July, August, and September.

He also highlighted the need for managing water, energy, and food as their supply is closely related to drought.

BMKG has also held a climate field school to improve people's capacity for conducting mitigation measures to deal with the impact of drought and other weather conditions.

Earlier, BMKG informed that the intensifying El Niño may trigger a drought during the dry season in Indonesia.

The El Niño phenomenon occurs due to changes in sea temperatures in the Pacific Ocean.

To anticipate the drought, Agriculture Minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo has distributed four tons of new superior rice seed varieties that can adapt to drought conditions.

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Translator: Devi Nindy S R, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Sri Haryati
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