Rainfall in many areas above normal

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)