Indonesia weather: Tropical cyclone and El Nino drive extreme conditions

Indonesia is experiencing diverse and extreme weather conditions driven by multiple atmospheric phenomena. The presence of Tropical Cyclone Nara in the western South China Sea is triggering potential heavy rain, thunderstorms, and increased cloud growth across various regions, including parts of Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and Papua.

Simultaneously, a very strong El Nino is impacting South Sulawesi, leading to dominant sunny conditions and increased dryness. This has contributed to a rise in forest and land fires (karhutla); in South Sulawesi alone, 112 incidents have been recorded between January and August 2026, affecting over 1,600 hectares.

In the Maluku region, BMKG has issued warnings for high waves reaching 1.25 to 2.5 meters in 14 to 16 maritime areas due to wind patterns. Other regional updates indicate dynamic weather in Riau with potential heavy rain, while areas like Yogyakarta and Semarang report mostly sunny or partly cloudy conditions with high temperatures.