Threats of Drought Loom over Karawang Rice Barns
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Kamis, 1 Januari 1970 07:00 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Irrigation channel across Karawang Regency, West Java, has not dried up in this year’s dry season, but drought has certainly concerned Karawang residents and it threatens thousands of hectares of paddy fields in this rice barn area.
Karawang Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) has declared alert status of drought since August 2017.Entering the last week of September, drought keeps expanding which affects 30 villages across five districts namely Tegalwaru, Ciampel, Pangkalan, West Telukjambe, and East Telukjamber.
Karawang Regency Agriculture Agency anticipates the potential impact of this year’s dry season since7.448 hectares of the total 97 thousand hectares of paddy fields across 23 districts are under threats of drought.
Karawang Regency Agriculture Agency head Hanafi stated that there has not been any reports on paddy fields affected by drought.
"Paddy fields in South Karawang have definitely affected by drought since the fields heavily rely on rain to irrigate the fields," he continued. These farmers will turn to secondary crops, he added.
To anticipate drought, the agency has coordinated with 0604 Karawang Military District Command (Kodim) since it can provide 20 units of water pumps. In addition, the agency also demands farmers to not cut irrigation access for their own interest to ensure that irrigation system can flow throughout the areas.
ANTARA