Indonesia faces peak drought season July‑September 2026, BMKG warns

Indonesia's meteorological agency, BMKG, forecasts the peak of the 2026 dry season to occur from July through September. The agency projects that in July, 83 zones (about 12% of the country's land area) will experience peak drought conditions, expanding to 369 zones (nearly 49%) by August and receding to 169 zones (about 25%) in September.

BMKG cautions that the prolonged drought, exacerbated by the lingering El Niño event, raises the risk of forest and land fires, water scarcity, and health impacts such as dehydration. Temperatures above 35 °C are expected in several provinces, and many areas have already logged very long dry spells of 31‑60 days. The agency advises the public to stay hydrated, use sun protection, and monitor weather updates. It also urges farmers to adjust planting schedules, adopt drought‑tolerant varieties, and consider horticultural crops that require less water.

Despite the dry spell, BMKG notes that localized moderate to heavy rainfall remains possible, especially in northern Sumatra, central Kalimantan, parts of Maluku, and the mountainous regions of Papua, driven by atmospheric dynamics such as the Madden‑Julian Oscillation.