Rainfall in many areas above normal

JAKARTA (JP): Rain in Jakarta, the northern areas of West Java, Yogyakarta and large parts of East Java, Sumatra, Central and South Kalimantan and Sulawesi will continue to fall in above normal frequencies for the remainder of the month, the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG) has predicted.

No areas are predicted to be drier than normal through August, according to a statement released by the agency here yesterday.

Last month, large parts of Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan and Sulawesi also enjoyed more rain than usual.

Separately, farmers in Yogyakarta's Gunung Kidul regency welcomed continued downpours which should benefit their current crop of yams.

There have been frequent showers in the area since last month.

"The rain is beneficial to the farmers, and should raise crop production 15 percent to 20 percent," the head of the Gunung Kidul agricultural office, Marsudi HW, said yesterday.

Meanwhile in Jember, East Java, economic and agricultural expert Kabul Santoso said heavy rainfall in large parts of the country could have negative effects on commercial crops.

"For regular crops, it should help. But for commercial ones, such as tobacco, it could be disastrous," he said as quoted by Antara yesterday.

He pointed out that as an export commodity, tobacco is found in many parts of the country and a failed harvest could be disastrous to its growers amid the economic crisis. (rms)