Indonesia discusses solutions to cope with El Nino, Illustrative image.(Photo source: ANTARA)

Jakarta - Indonesian President Joko Widodo and ministers have discussed solutions to cope with the El Nino phenomenon in the country.

Minister of Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya Bakar said on October 4 that, at a recent meeting, President Widodo expressed concern that El Nino is leaving negative impacts on production and the lives of Indonesian people.

The President introduced three solutions to cope with the current extreme weather phenomenon, including mapping the areas affected by El Nino, focusing on a strategy to ensure available water resources such as local rivers, lakes and canal systems, and regularly checking water supplies in food production areas and periodically report water levels in these areas.

He also directed ministries to evaluate the current situation, especially the possibility that agricultural output will decline due to depleted irrigation water sources and widespread forest fires.

The leader also instructed the National Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) to closely monitor weather developments and regularly report to the President and cabinet members.