Nabire experiences rainfall following severe drought and water crisis

After months of extreme heat and drought, moderate rainfall began falling across parts of Nabire and other cities in Central Papua, including Timika and Ilaga, starting August 28, 2026. Residents reported that the rain provided much-needed relief as local wells had dried up, causing difficulties in meeting household water needs.

Despite the rainfall, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Nabire warned that a strong El Nino remains active. Officials advised residents to avoid land burning and to prioritize health by wearing masks due to dust.

Prior to the rain, the Ministry of Public Works addressed the water crisis by distributing 9,200 liters of clean water to approximately 185 households in three affected residential areas. The distribution aimed to mitigate the impact of dried wells, which had forced some residents to travel two kilometers to the Kalibumi River for alternative water sources.