Drought is an inevitable natural condition for tropical countries like Indonesia. The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) predicts that drought in 2024 will be prolonged, expected to occur from May to October.
Indonesia’s climate also shows signs of a weak La Nina, meaning rainfall will decrease, and the public will need to rely on groundwater sources in the coming months.
Disaster Mitigation Expert Dr. Djati Mardiatno from UGM’s Faculty of Geography explained that BMKG’s predictions are largely accurate.
Fluctuating climate conditions, both regionally and globally, significantly impact Indonesia’s seasonal changes. According to him, despite the prolonged dry season from May to October, the El Nino effect is not as severe as initially predicted.
“Its severity is not as high as previously forecasted,” Dr. Mardiatno stated on Friday (Sep. 20).
This dynamic climate change is caused by Indonesia’s diverse geography and hydrogeology, which means that some areas experience drought while others are not yet classified as drought-affected.
Dr. Mardiatno cited examples such as Gunungkidul and East Nusa Tenggara, regions notoriously difficult to access water, especially during the dry season, which lasts longer than other regions.
To assess an area’s vulnerability to drought, one must consider the regional climate type and zone, geological composition, and the local natural systems.
Furthermore, climate change affects rainfall in various regions of Indonesia. Previous climate forecasts indicated that the peak of the dry season would occur from August to September. According to Dr. Mardiatno, September is typically when water sources dry up.
However, due to climate changes, rain is still possible in August and September, though in small amounts.
One key sector negatively impacted by climate change is agriculture. Irrigation channels are a crucial element in driving this sector. Without adequate water, crops will not grow, and rice fields will dry up, leading to food shortages and rising prices of necessities.
“The prolonged dry season is not extremely severe, so the likelihood of crop failure is low,” he noted.
Nonetheless, the government and the public are advised to prepare for the extended dry season. Rice field irrigation should not rely solely on rainwater to cope with the dry season.
The government could develop irrigation systems from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Dr. Mardiatno suggested alternatives, such as planting crops requiring less water in areas without natural water sources.
The easiest solution to address the drought threat is for local governments to provide water. Hundreds of thousands, even millions, of clean water are deployed daily to manage drought disasters.
Another solution the government can implement during the dry season is groundwater pumping. According to Dr. Mardiatno, Gunungkidul, for example, has the potential to utilize groundwater. Geologically, Gunungkidul’s soil is made of materials that easily dissolve, allowing rainwater to seep into the ground and be stored for a long time.
Water is stored in underground rivers and caves that can reach depths of 100 meters.
“The shallowest depth is around 50 meters, so the rivers are very deep,” said Dr. Mardiatno.
Pumping water from these underground rivers is costly because regular water pumps cannot reach such depths. Specialized pumping mechanisms are required, and the water needs to be drawn from the highest point in an area so that gravity can help distribute it to the surrounding areas.
Another alternative for dealing with drought is creating artificial water sources, such as reservoirs or dams. This method is commonly used in East Nusa Tenggara to prepare for the dry season and drought disasters.
“These reservoirs store water during the rainy season, which can then be used in the dry season,” Dr. Mardiatno explained.
He added that mitigation efforts are not solely the responsibility of the government. The public can also independently meet its water needs during the dry season.
The easiest way is to build rainwater storage systems using water tanks. Once purified, this water can be used for irrigation and domestic purposes, such as bathing, cleaning, and cooking.
“The public doesn’t always have to wait for government assistance; they can be involved independently,” Dr. Mardiatno emphasized.
Author: Tiefany
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afif
Photo: Freepik