Less heat as Indonesia dry season to be less severe this year, weather agency says

Farmers collect paddy during harvest day at a rice field in Candipuro district, Lumajang, East Java province, Indonesia. - Photo from Reuters

JAKARTA, March 15 (Reuters) - Indonesia's dry season will be less severe this year compared to 2023, improving its chances of managing forest fires and crops, the country's weather agency said on Friday.

Last year's dry season was the most severe since 2019 due to an El Nino weather phenomenon that lasted longer than usual, bringing a drought that hurt crops and exacerbated forest fires.