No Cause for Concern About Impact of Drought Agency

Kupang, E Nusa Tenggara - The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics office predicted drought said the impact of the long drought in East Nusa Tenggara is not as bad as feared by many. "No cause for great concern as not all areas in the province are hit by the drought," Juli Setiyanto, the head of the regional office of the agency said here Friday. It is predicted that the drought would not be over in East Nusa Tenggara until the end of the year but not all areas suffered because of the long dry spell, Juli said. The hardest hit by the drought would be farmers on the island of Sumba, West Timor, and eastern Flores, Lembata and Central Flores, Juli said. "However, the condition in other areas like western part of Flores including Manggarai, West Manggarai, East Manggarai and Sikka, would remain normal," he said. The prediction is based on indicators of El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO), anomaly of the temperature on sea surface and Dipole Mode in the Indian Ocean, he added. Some predictions said in some areas in the province rainy season would begin in October or November in the province. Crisis in water supply and harvest failure are feared in some areas, Juli said, adding in fact there is already crisis in certain areas. (*)