Prolonged drought is impacting multiple regions across Java, leaving hundreds of households without access to clean water as Indonesia enters its dry season. According to the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the dry season is expected to peak in August, with forecasts indicating the conditions may be drier and longer than average due to the ongoing influence of El Niño.
Indonesia is ranked among the countries with the highest number of children exposed to drought, receiving a score of 7.5 out of 10 in a recent UNICEF report, largely due to its equatorial heat stress and agricultural dependence.
Where is the drought hitting hardest?
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reports that water shortages have emerged in several regencies across West and Central Java. In West Java’s Bekasi regency, 296 households—roughly 800 people—in Ridogalih village are currently struggling for water. The Bekasi Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) is actively distributing clean water to these communities.
Similar shortages are affecting 137 families in the Babakan Madang district of Bogor, West Java. Meanwhile, in Central Java, the crisis has reached three villages in the Kemalang district of Klaten, where 393 households, totaling 1,445 people, lack adequate water supplies, according to the BNPB.
The significance of this drought lies in its timing; the intersection of peak seasonal dryness and a persistent El Niño event through early 2027 creates a compounded risk. While local agencies provide immediate relief, the reliance on emergency water distribution suggests that existing infrastructure is currently unable to buffer the population against these climate-driven supply shocks.
What is the forecast for the coming months?
The BMKG warns that the dry season will likely intensify between July and September. BMKG head Teuku Faisal Fathani stated that August will mark the peak of the dry season across 369 seasonal zones, encompassing nearly half of the country, including Bali, Kalimantan, and parts of Sumatra, Sulawesi, Maluku, and Papua.
The agency’s climatology deputy, Ardhasena Sopaheluwakan, noted that El Niño is expected to persist until early 2027. This climate phenomenon, characterized by warm sea surface temperatures in the Pacific, could lead to significant impacts through mid-October. Consequently, the BMKG has urged water resource agencies to revitalize reservoirs and improve distribution networks to prepare for worsening conditions.
What mitigation steps are being proposed?
House of Representatives Speaker Puan Maharani has called for immediate emergency measures combined with long-term infrastructure investment. Her proposed strategy includes developing a comprehensive water management chain, specifically highlighting the need for rainwater harvesting and the construction of infiltration wells in drought-prone areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this year’s dry season expected to be worse than usual?
According to the BMKG, the dry season is likely to be longer and drier than average due to the influence of El Niño, which is predicted to last until early 2027.
Which regions are currently experiencing clean water shortages?
Current shortages have been reported in Bekasi and Bogor in West Java, as well as three villages in the Kemalang district of Klaten, Central Java.
What is the peak month for the dry season in Indonesia?
The BMKG forecasts that the largest number of climate zones will reach peak dryness in August, covering nearly half of the country’s total land area.
How do you believe local communities can best prepare for the extended dry season ahead?
