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