How Dry We Are

(8/25/2003)

The prolonged drought affecting much of Indonesia is now making itself felt in Bali's western Jembrana Regency. Information provided by local agricultural officials in Jembrana indicate two-thirds of the regions 7,871 arable hectares are showing symptoms of drought conditions.

Jembrana Regency is home to 36 rivers which normally flow year round. Currently, however, 16 of those rivers are recording diminished water flows with some having dried up completely. Official records for the regency indicate a normal average cumulative water flow of 200 liters per second for all of the region's rivers is now flowing at only 65 liters per second.

Reduced Rice Crop Anticipated

Experts are predicting that rice production for the region will drop by at least 20% as the result of the drought, resulting in a shortfall of 9.400 tons of rice production in the current year to meet the consumption requirements of Jembrana residents.