Six Regencies in NTT Placed on Alert Status for Meteorological Drought

A number of areas in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) are beginning to face a serious threat of meteorological drought. Based on data from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), several sub-districts in six regencies have been placed on alert status for the second dasarian of August 2026.

The six regencies affected by the alert status include Alor, Belu, East Flores, Kupang, Lembata, and Sabu Raijua. The Head of the BMKG Region III Centre, Cahyo Nugroho, has urged local governments and communities to increase vigilance because the number of days without rain in these areas has been ongoing for quite some time.

“Based on BMKG’s early drought warning, alert status is given to areas experiencing more than 61 days without rain, with a high probability that rainfall will remain low in the next two dasarians,” said Cahyo in a written statement on Tuesday (11/8).

This extreme drought condition is predicted to have a significant impact on the availability of clean water, the agricultural sector, and an increased risk of forest and land fires.

In response to the clean water crisis that has begun to hit, the NTT Regional Police have moved to distribute free clean water assistance to residents. The Head of Public Relations of the NTT Regional Police, Senior Commissioner Henry Novika Chandra, stated that the distribution of aid began on Monday (10/8) in Padadida Hamlet, Wadumaddi Village, Hawu Mehara Sub-district, Sabu Raijua.

A total of 5,000 litres of clean water was distributed to 67 affected families. “The National Police must be present and provide real benefits to the community, especially for residents who are facing difficulties in meeting basic needs such as clean water,” said Senior Commissioner Henry, conveying the message of the NTT Police Chief, Inspector General Rudi Darmoko.

Although drought dominates, BMKG notes that there is still a chance of light rain in the period 11-20 August in several limited areas, such as Kupang Regency, Manggarai, East Manggarai, Ende, and Sikka.

However, in general, dry conditions are expected to continue to dominate the NTT region. In addition to drought, BMKG has also issued a warning regarding the potential for strong winds that may occur in the Sabu Raijua area and parts of Kupang Regency in the near future.