Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency/BMKG has raised the status of meteorological drought to its highest level, Alert, across multiple regions.
According to BMKG’s update on September 10, 2026, the condition is expected in parts of Sumatra, Java, and Kalimantan during the period September 11–20, 2026.
BMKG classifies meteorological drought warnings into three levels: Watch, Standby, and Alert. The Alert status is the most serious and requires immediate attention.
24 Provinces under Alert Status:
1. Bali: Buleleng
2. Banten: Serang, Lebak, Pandeglang, Serang, Tangerang
3. DI Yogyakarta: Bantul, Gunung Kidul, Yogyakarta, Kulon Progo, Sleman
4. Jakarta: West Jakarta, Central Jakarta, East Jakarta, North Jakarta, Seribu Islands
5. Gorontalo: Boalemo, Bone Bolango, Gorontalo, North Gorontalo, Gorontalo
6. West Java: Bekasi, Bogor, Ciamis, Cirebon, Garut, Indramayu, Karawang, Bekasi, Kuningan, Majalengka, Subang, Sukabumi, Sumedang
7. Central Java: Banjarnegara, Banyumas, Batang, Blora, Boyolali, Brebes, Cilacap, Demak, Grobogan, Jepara, Karanganyar, Kebumen, Kendal, Klaten, Magelang, Semarang, Kudus, Pati, Pekalongan, Pemalang, Purbalingga, Purworejo, Rembang, Sragen, Sukoharjo, Tegal, Wonogiri, Wonosobo, Surakarta, Tegal
8. East Java: Bangkalan, Banyuwangi, Blitar, Bojonegoro, Bondowoso, Gresik, Jember, Jombang, Kediri, Batu, Blitar, Kediri, Madiun, Malang, Mojokerto, Pasuruan, Probolinggo, Surabaya, Lamongan, Lumajang, Madiun, Magetan, Malang, Mojokerto, Nganjuk, Ngawi, Pacitan, Pamekasan, Pasuruan, Ponorogo, Probolinggo, Sampang, Sidoarjo, Situbondo, Sumenep, Trenggalek, Tuban, and Tulungagung.
9. West Kalimantan: Kayong Utara and Ketapang
10. South Kalimantan Selatan: Banjarbaru, Banjarmasin, and Tanah Laut
11. Central Kalimantan: Kapuas, Katingan, Palangka Raya, West Kotawaringin, East Kotawaringin, Lamandau, Pulang Pisau, Seruyan, and Sukamara.
12. Bangka Belitung: Bangka, South Bangka, Central Bangka, Belitung, and East Belitung.
13. Maluku: Buru, Eastern part of Seram, Tual, and Southwest Maluku
14. North Maluku: South Halmahera, North Halmahera, Ternate, Tidore Island, Morotai Island
15. East Nusa Tenggara: Alor, Belu, East Flores, Kupang, Kupang, Lembata, Nagekeo, Ngada, East Sumba, and North-central Timor
16. South Papua: Merauke
17. West Sulawesi: Majene, Mamuju, and Polewali Mandar
18. South Sulawesi: Bantaeng, Barru, Bone, Gowa, Jeneponto, Selayar Island, Makassar, Parepare, Maros, Pangkajene Dan, Pinrang, Sidenreng Rappang, Soppeng, Takalar, Tana Toraja, and Wajo.
19. Central Sulawesi : Tojo Una-Una
20. Southeast Sulawesi: Bombana, South Buton, Kolaka, South Konawe, Baubau, Muna, and Wakatobi.
21. North Sulawesi : Bolaang Mongondow, East Bolaang Mongondow, North Bolaang Mongondow, Manado, Tomohon, Kotamobagu, Minahasa, South Minahasa, Southeast Minahasa, North Minahasa, Siau Tagulandang Biaro.
22. South Sumatra: Banyuasin, Muara Enim, Musi Banyuasin, Ogan Ilir, Ogan Komering Ilir, East Ogan Komering Ulu, and Penukal Abab Lematang Ilir.
23. West Nusa Tenggara: Bima, Dompu, Bima, West Lombok, East Lombok, North Lombok, Sumbawa, West Sumbawa
24. Riau Island: Lingga regency.
BMKG Public Advisory
BMKG notes that meteorological drought occurs when rainfall in a region falls below normal climatological levels for a certain period. It can be triggered by climate variability or anomalies.
If prolonged, meteorological drought can escalate into agricultural drought, hydrological drought, and even socio‑economic drought.
Early warnings are therefore critical so that both government and communities can prepare mitigation steps before the impacts spread further.
In its official statement on Monday September 14, 2026, BMKG urged residents in drought‑affected areas to:
👉 Conserve and use water wisely.
👉 Avoid burning land or waste.
👉 Limit outdoor activities during midday heat when possible.
👉 Anticipate water availability.
Sources: MetroTV, Ketik
Feat Image: via AntaraNews/AdengBustomi
