Indonesia Enters Strong El Niño Phase, BMKG Focuses on Water and Fire Prevention

Indonesia is now experiencing a strong El Niño phenomenon, as confirmed by the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG). The agency's head, Teuku Faisal Fathani, stated that the current conditions signify a robust El Niño event.

El Niño occurs when sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean rise by 0.5 degrees Celsius or more, indicating an active El Niño phase. BMKG's strategy to combat the effects of El Niño primarily involves two key areas: ensuring water availability, particularly through reservoir management, and proactively preventing forest and land fires.

The agency has identified six provinces as primary focus areas due to their high susceptibility to fires: Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, and South Kalimantan. To mitigate risks, BMKG is utilizing weather modification techniques for both filling reservoirs and managing potentially flammable land.

President Joko Widodo held a limited meeting on Tuesday with several ministers to discuss El Niño preparedness, coinciding with the onset of the dry season. The meeting was attended by various officials, including Teuku Faisal Fathani, Minister of Environment and Forestry, and heads of national disaster and search and rescue agencies. The discussion likely centered on coordinating efforts to manage the anticipated impacts of the phenomenon, including potential droughts and increased fire risks.

“

For now, the condition has entered a strong El Niño.