NTB needs to strengthen mitigation to face prolonged drought caused by El Niño
Mataram (ANTARA) - The University of Mataram (Unram) is urging the government and the community in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) to strengthen mitigation measures in facing a prolonged dry season coinciding with the El Niño phenomenon.
Hilman Ahyadi, a lecturer in the Environmental Science Study Programme at the University of Mataram, stated that while the dry season is a periodic annual phenomenon, the current conditions coupled with El Niño have the potential to worsen drought conditions.
“It is highly likely that not only is the intensity quite high, but the period is also relatively long. This is also based on information from the BMKG (Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency),” he said in Mataram on Saturday.
Hilman noted that these conditions could increase the intensity and extend the duration of the dry season, impacting water availability for both community needs and agricultural land.
Reduced irrigation water availability could lower crop productivity and increase the risk of crop failure if farmers do not adjust to the weather conditions.
The government needs to increase socialisation, supervision, and control over burning activities, including both household waste burning and land clearing, to reduce these various risks.
“Rice or secondary crops should not be planted during the dry season; instead, plant drought-resistant crops such as tobacco,” he suggested.
Furthermore, Hilman encouraged farmers to implement water conservation in agricultural lands to maintain water availability throughout the prolonged dry period.
At the household level, the community also needs to conserve water usage and avoid excessive consumption. Water storage for daily needs must also prioritise the cleanliness of reservoirs to prevent them from becoming breeding grounds for disease-carrying mosquitoes.
Hilman reminded the public to maintain sanitation by not disposing of domestic waste into drains or open areas, as drought conditions can cause waste to accumulate and become breeding sites for disease vectors such as mosquitoes, rats, flies, and cockroaches.
In addition to water shortages, a prolonged dry season accompanied by high temperatures increases the risk of dehydration, particularly for those working outdoors, such as farmers, livestock breeders, and fishermen.
“Mitigation and adaptation must be carried out together to reduce the impact of drought on the environment, agriculture, and public health,” Hilman concluded.