TEMPO.CO, Bogor - Dramaga Climatology Station of Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics (BMKG) warns West Java about possible extended drought as the station monitored no potential rainfall in the next two months. The dry season is estimated to last until September.
“There is no cloud potential for rainfall in the next two months,” said Dedi Sucahyono, Head of Dramaga Climatology Station when contacted by Tempo on Thursday.
According to BMKG’s satellite monitoring, a number of regions in West Java including Bogor, Bekasi, Karawang, Subang, Sumedang, Cirebon, Sukabumi, and Cianjur will get no rain for 26 to 30 consecutive days, while other regions such as Indramayu, Losareng, Cirebon annd Majalengka will see no rain for longer period.
“These areas are West Java’s rice storage,” Dedi added.
In addition, BMKG also stated that this year’s dry season will be more extreme compared to previous years due to El Nino that hits the middle part of Pacific Ocean.
Despite the possible extreme drought, West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan is optimistic that rice production continue to reach the target. Government has prepared measures to anticipate drought by, for example, making wells, pumping water from nearby spring, and holding istisqa (prayer to ask for rain).
Today, the drought has hit 49,000 hectares paddy field and threatens other 100,000 hectares, especially those located in Indramayu and Karawang.
SIDIK PERMANA | AHMAD FIKRI