BMKG Issues Drought Alert in Four Regions of West Java
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2 August 2023 07:03 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The West Java Climatology Station of the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) released an early warning of meteorological drought. On the first ten days of August, several sub-districts in four regencies, namely West Bandung, Cirebon, Majalengka, and Kuningan are at high risk of drought.
“This means that the signs of drought are getting stronger,” a forecaster at the West Java Climatology Station, Dwi Yoga Primamartono, said in Bandung, West Java, Tuesday, August 1, 2023.
The alert level of Siaga (Watch) of the meteorological drought is issued across Padalarang and Parongpong Districts in West Bandung Regency; Gegesik District in Cirebon; Darma District in Kuningan; as well as Jatiwangi, Lemah Sugih, and Malausma Districts.
“Meteorological drought is a drought caused by rainfall in an area that is below normal,” Dwi explained.
The alert status of Siaga is declared for regions when the number of days without rain is at least 31 days, with the probability of rain less than 20 millimeters per ten days being more than 70 percent. The alert status of Awas (Danger) means drought is ready to occur as there are 61 days of rain deficit with the probability of rain less than 20 millimeters per ten days being more than 70 percent.
As for the alert status of Waspada (Caution), the rain deficit happens for at least 21 days, with the probability of rain less than 20 millimeters per ten days being more than 70 percent.
Regions that are currently on the alert status of Waspada in West Java include parts of Karawang, North Subang, Indramayu, Sumedang, Majalengka, Cirebon, Kuningan, Purwakarta, Sukabumi, Cianjur, Bandung, Garut, North Tasikmalaya, Ciamis, and Pangandaran.
This early warning is addressed to the general public and related stakeholders to be aware and prepared for the potential drought that might affect the agricultural sector using a rain-fed system, reduce the availability of groundwater or scarcity of clean water, and increase the potential for fires.
To date, BMKG only issued alert status of Siaga and Waspada over meteorological drought in West Java. The agency predicted the peak of the dry season in Bandung, for example, will be between July and August 2023.
ANWAR SISWADI (CONTRIBUTOR)
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