Indonesia: Extreme drought hits four districts in East Nenggara Tenggara

Bernadus Tokan Antara 12 Jun 18;

Kupang, E Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA News) - Extreme drought hit four districts in East Nusa Tenggara Province, according to information from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency.

The four affected districts were East Suma, Negekeo, Lembata, and Rote Ndao, Apolinaris Geru, head of the Kupang climatology station, stated, here Tuesday.

The areas had received no rain for over 60 days, he remarked.

Extreme drought had affected Temu/Kanatang and Kawangu in East Sumba; Danga in Nagekeo; Wulandoni in Lembata; and Feapopi in Rote Ndao.

Other parts of the province have received rain but with low precipitation of between 0 and 50 mm.

However, small parts of South Timor Tengah, North Timor Tengah District, and Malaka District have received rain with moderate precipitation of 51 to 150 mm.

East Nusa Tenggara occupies a unique position at the junction of the Australian and Asian submarine ridges marked by the Wallace line. It is one of the most dynamic and exotic marine environments in the world.

The arid landscape of eastern and southern Nusa Tenggara is the result of hot, dry winds blasting in from the Australian continent. In fact, in several coastal areas, not a drop of rain falls during most of the year.

Editor: Otniel Tamindael