Indonesia predicted to have long drought next year
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Indonesia's National Space and Aviation Agency (LAPAN) predicted that the country would suffer from a long dry season next year and urged the government to immediately start preparations, media quoting expert from the agency reported in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Extreme weather phenomenon last year led to a shortage of food supply and inflation to a 21-month high of 7.02 percent in January.
Edi Hermawan, expert from the agency quoted by the Jakartaglobe as saying that in 2010 and 2011, the country would see a long wet season, but starting from May 2012, the weather was expected to dry up and stay dry, peaking in October.
"Based on data, the sun cycle will reach its peak and solar storm will occur," Edi said.
The expert said that the dry season would also have detrimental effects, with the threat of reservoirs drying up and the food supplies being hampered.
"The dry season is closely linked to food supply. Starvation is possible and it might influence the government's performance," he said, adding the government must start preparing for the drought.
"They can't import goods at the last minute. The government must make quick and accurate predictions based on accurate data," said Edi.
The expert said the government must pay special attention to East Nusa Tenggara province in eastern parts of Indonesia because the province regularly suffers from droughts. He urged leaders to inform people how to prepare for a drought, "for example, by planting edible plants around the house.
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