TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Precipitation is predicted to lower in the second half of this year in Indonesia due to the El Nino phenomenon from the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) from the Indian Ocean. This is also the impact of the dry season period which has already arrived in a number of regions.

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Region II warned parts of Banten of low precipitation which will likely be drier than in the last three decades or 1990s.

“People should not panic over the El Nino phenomenon or the dry season,” Head of BMKG Region II Hartanto said on Tuesday, May 30, 2023.

Based on the monitoring during the second ten days or dasarian of this May, Hartanto revealed that the northern part of Banten has entered the dry season. The regions include Cilegon City, northern Serang Regency, northern Serang City, southern Tangerang City, South Tangerang City, southeastern Tangerang Regency, northern Tangerang Regency, and northern Tangerang City.

However, it is still possible for regions that have or have not entered the dry season to experience rain on a daily to weekly scale.

From June to October, Banten's monthly precipitation is predicted to be in the low category (0-100 millimeters/month). The peak of this year's dry season is forecasted to occur in August with a chance of below-normal precipitation or drier than usual.

Hartanto further warned of the potential for drought in Banten regions. The government and the community are suggested to carry out mitigation efforts to reduce the risk of drought that may disrupt food security, such as filling lakes, reservoirs, retention column reservoirs, and other artificial water storages.

MARIA FRANSISCA LAHUR

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