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Islands in focus: Drought, food crisis hit NTT
Drought and food shortages affecting several regions in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) are the result of low rainfall, with the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) saying the dry season arrived early this year
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rought and food shortages affecting several regions in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) are the result of low rainfall, with the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) saying the dry season arrived early this year.
“It is still raining in other areas, such as West Manggarai, Mangarai and Ngada regencies, but unevenly, so NTT is predicted to be hit by food shortages,” NTT Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) head Tini Thadeus told reporters in Kupang on Sunday.
Besides food insecurity, added Tini, a water crisis could occur amid the lack of rain. In East Flores regency, two villages have been hit by drought and are being supported by the local BPBD with a budget of Rp 1.1 billion (US$81,000).
“Rp 900 million has been allocated for the construction of artesian wells and Rp 200 [million] for water supplies for residents for several months,” she said.
The BPBD, she added, had sent formal letters to BPBD offices in other regencies and cities, and to the central government, to convey information about the drought.
