BMKG issues early warning on Jakarta drought

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

Ajat, 50, fills up jerry cans with clean water from the Cihoe River on 15 July 2019 in Ridogalih village of Cibarusah district, Bekasi regency, West Java. The villagers have found it difficult to access clean water for the last three months at the Cihoe River, their main source of water and which they also use to bathe and wash clothes.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The South Tangerang Climatology Station of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has issued an early warning on meteorological drought in Jakarta and surrounding areas.The BMKG announced that Banten and Jakarta were entering the dry season this month, and called on local governments and communities to stay alert for drought.

South Tangerang Climatology Station head Sukasno said in a written statement that data on rainless days through 20 Aug. 2019 showed that most of Banten and Jakarta experienced more than 20-60 consecutive rainless days.