Indonesia prepares for severe 2026 drought as El Niño intensifies

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) warned that the 2026 El Niño, dubbed “El Niño Godzilla,” could bring a significantly drier season across Indonesia. Forecasts show the dry period beginning in May–June, peaking in August and possibly lasting three to seven months, with West Java expected to experience especially low rainfall.

In Rembang, the regional disaster management agency (BPBD) is drafting a drought contingency plan. Officials, stakeholders and volunteers held a focus‑group discussion to map existing wells, reservoirs and other water‑storage facilities, aiming to create 10 000‑litre distribution points and standardise response procedures. The agency highlighted that 64 villages received emergency water supplies in 2024 and that many districts have historically faced water shortages.

Provincial authorities in West Java, together with the army and local leaders, are conducting vulnerability mapping and accelerating clean‑water projects such as new well drilling. They emphasized zone‑specific monitoring and the importance of early‑warning updates to mitigate the anticipated drought impact.