TEMPO.CO, Surabaya - Drought that hit Indonesia is predicted to occur longer and more severe this year, Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) East Java said Wednesday, July 29, 2015.
"According to the BMKG (Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency) forecast, 'days without rain' since June will continue to occur until November," Head of East Java BPBD Sudharmawan told reporters at his office on Wednesday. Day without rain started from July 20.
Sudharmawan explained, this year’s 'days without rain' would be more than five months. Whereas during the last two years, 'days without rain' usually lasted about four months.
"From the aspect of the weather, the impact of El Nino is so much worse,” he said.
The number of villages experiencing drought this year is predicted more than ever. To date, the number of affected villages had reached 541 villages spreading over 196 districts in 24 regencies. "This figure will continue to grow."
In 2014, drought affected as many as 624 villages in 179 districts. Whereas in 2013, 948 villages in 228 districts were affected.
ARTIKA RACHMI FARMITA
