Aceh records Indonesia's highest temperature as drought threatens rice fields

The Indonesian meteorological agency (BMKG) reported that the Sultan Iskandar Muda station in Banda Aceh recorded a maximum temperature of 36.4 °C on 27‑28 July 2026, the highest daily maximum in the country. A nearby climatology station in Indrapuri logged 36.2 °C, making Aceh the only province with the two top heat readings. BMKG warned of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke and advised limiting outdoor activity.

The Aceh Besar Agriculture Department, led by acting head Imam Munandardi Lambaro, launched a pompanisasi (water‑pumping) program to help 1,523 hectares of rice‑field suffering from drought. Coordination with the Sumatra‑I River Basin Agency (BWS), the regional disaster agency and the public works department will supply water‑pumping machines to 21 affected sites, aiming to prevent crop failure in the heavily impacted districts.