Indonesia is shifting its disaster management focus from wildfire suppression to flood preparedness as the rainy season begins, according to the Indonesian National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).
Did You Know? On October 30, BNPB issued Circular No. 4/2026 to governors, district heads, and mayors nationwide, detailing specific preparedness guidelines for the 2026/2027 rainy season.
Operational Review at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base
BNPB Head Kristomei Sianturi announced the operational pivot during a review meeting on Monday at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in Jakarta. The evaluation aims to identify which regions still require weather intervention and which areas have fully transitioned into the wet season. The hybrid gathering brought together delegates from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the Indonesian Military (TNI), the National Police (Polri), various ministries, and regional governments.
Following the revised resource distribution plan, weather-modification gear presently housed in areas that have already transitioned to the wet season—such as South Sumatra, Jambi, Riau, and West Kalimantan—will be transferred. These resources will bolster efforts in areas that remain dry and susceptible to blazes, including Southeast Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi, North Maluku, and South Papua. “Where feasible, we will redeploy our assets and reinforce operations in vulnerable regions,” Sianturi noted.
Severe Weather Warnings Across 25 Provinces
While some eastern and central pockets remain vulnerable to lingering dry conditions, the BMKG has issued severe weather warnings for 25 provinces facing potential heavy to very heavy rain. According to Aktualita.co reporting, four provinces are under a high Alert status, while 21 other provinces sit in the Caution (Waspada) category. The Caution zone spans Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, North Maluku, and multiple provinces across the Papua region.
BMKG warns that moderate to heavy rainfall in these regions may bring lightning, thunder, and strong winds. In response to early reports of inundation during the seasonal shift, Sianturi urged regional leaders to ensure local rescue equipment and community-level mitigation systems remain fully operational.
Expert Insight: Managing a simultaneous transition from drought-driven wildfire risks to hydrometeorological flood hazards requires precise inter-agency coordination. By cross-referencing BMKG weather alerts with real-time regional moisture data, disaster authorities can maximize the utility of scarce weather-intervention assets across Indonesia’s vast archipelago.
Future Outlook for Weather Interventions
Weather warnings from BMKG extend into early November 2026, with Bengkulu maintaining an Alert status for heavy rain. For the period of November 2 to 5, 2026, forecasters predict light rain will dominate most of the country, though moderate rainfall could still affect Aceh, North Sumatra, West Java, Central Java, Kalimantan, South Sulawesi, North Maluku, and parts of Papua.
As weather patterns shift, BNPB’s ongoing assessment could lead to further adjustments in equipment deployment if localized drought conditions persist alongside widespread seasonal flooding. Regional authorities are advised to monitor daily BMKG updates to adapt local mitigation strategies as conditions evolve.
Relocating Cloud-Seeding Equipment to Dry Regions
Which provinces are currently receiving relocated cloud-seeding equipment?
Equipment deployed in provinces that have entered the rainy season is being relocated to dry, wildfire-vulnerable regions including Southeast Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi, North Maluku, and South Papua.
What official directive did BNPB issue regarding the rainy season?
BNPB issued Circular No. 4/2026 on October 30, outlining preparedness guidelines for the 2026/2027 rainy season and instructing regional leaders to ensure personnel and rescue equipment readiness.
Which agencies participated in the disaster mitigation coordination meeting?
The hybrid meeting at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base included representatives from BNPB, BMKG, the Indonesian Military (TNI), the National Police (Polri), relevant ministries, and local administrations.
How are local authorities in your region preparing for the transition from fire hazards to potential flood risks?
Worth a look