No sign of El Nino this year: Expert

No sign of El Nino this year: Expert

JAKARTA: A weather forecaster said on Monday that the El Nino
phenomena is unlikely to hit the country this year.

"We don't see any sign of El Nino, although some parts of the
country, particularly those in eastern Indonesia, will face a
severe drought," said head of the Bogor-based Center for
Agroclimate and Soil Research and Development Gatot Irianto.

According to Gatot, those living in affected areas could
expect the drought to last until September.

El Nino, which can cause drought in Asia, last hit the country
in 1996. -- JP