Indonesia prepares for drought and forest fire risks

Various regions in Indonesia are implementing measures to manage the impacts of the dry season. In Seram Bagian Timur (SBT), Maluku, officials predict that drought conditions will peak in September 2026 and may not subside until February 2027. To address water scarcity, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has pledged to provide 78 drilling sites for wells, though the region's archipelagic geography presents logistical challenges for water distribution.

In Seluma, Bengkulu, authorities are focusing on preventing forest and land fires (Karhutla) as the dry season began in early June 2026. The Seluma Military District Command (Kodim 0425/Seluma) has deployed village supervisory officers (Babinsa) to monitor high-risk areas for fire hotspots. Personnel are also tasked with educating the public to avoid land clearing through burning to prevent large-scale environmental damage.