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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Environment & Climate

39 Percent of West Java Experiences Drought, BMKG Reports

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • 39% of West Java, Indonesia, has entered the dry season, with some areas experiencing 25 days without rain.
  • The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon is contributing to reduced rainfall in the region.
  • Despite the overall trend, localized light to moderate rain is still possible, especially in the afternoons and evenings.

Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) data indicates that 39 percent of West Java, Indonesia, has entered the dry season. Monitoring in early June 2026 revealed 16 "rainless zones," including areas along the northern coast (pantura) and several cities and regencies such as Depok, Bekasi, Karawang, and parts of Bogor and Purwakarta.

The longest dry spell recorded was 25 days in Karang Kendal, Cirebon Regency.

— BMKGHighlighting the severity of the dry conditions in a specific area.

The longest dry spell recorded was 25 days in Karang Kendal, Cirebon Regency. For the period of June 11-20, BMKG forecasts that 98 percent of West Java will experience low rainfall. Analysis shows the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon, characterized by rising sea surface temperatures in the Pacific, is influencing this reduction in precipitation across parts of Indonesia, including West Java.

However, localized rainfall is still occurring due to varying atmospheric conditions that support the growth of convective clouds. BMKG forecaster Alita Nuraeni noted that no heavy rainfall events were recorded in West Java during the recent monitoring period. While El Niño generally reduces rainfall, atmospheric dynamics like active Kelvin waves and warm sea surface temperatures in Indonesian waters continue to supply moisture for localized cloud formation.

Based on the analysis of recent global climate, the El Nino phenomenon has the potential to reduce rainfall in some parts of Indonesia, including West Java.

— Alita NuraeniExplaining the impact of El Niño on regional rainfall patterns.

Looking ahead to June 15-21, several atmospheric dynamics are expected to support increased water vapor and local convective cloud growth in parts of West Java. Despite the overall downward trend in rainfall, light to moderate showers remain possible, particularly in the afternoon and evening. Some areas, including Bogor Regency and City, Depok, Sukabumi Regency, Bandung Regency, and Garut, may experience moderate rain with lightning and short-duration strong winds on Monday, June 15.

Despite the general trend of decreasing rainfall in West Java, potential for light to moderate rain can still occur locally.

— Alita NuraeniProviding a nuanced forecast that includes the possibility of localized rain.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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