Yogyakarta BPBD warns of ISPA and heat stroke risks amid El Niño

Yogyakarta's Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) is heightening its readiness to address the anticipated temperature shifts associated with the El Niño phenomenon during the upcoming 2026 dry season. The agency is particularly focused on mitigating health risks and preventing potential disasters.

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BPBD increases preparedness through the Tegal Turi BPBD Post and the Rapid Response Team, who are on standby 24 hours a day to monitor developments in the field and expedite handling if an emergency occurs.

According to Iswari Mahendrarko, a Young Expert Policy Analyst at BPBD Yogyakarta, the agency is maintaining 24-hour vigilance through its Tegal Turi post and Rapid Response Team. This continuous monitoring aims to track on-the-ground conditions and ensure swift action in case of emergencies. The increased preparedness comes in response to forecasts from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), which predict a later onset of the rainy season due to El Niño's influence.

Beyond anticipating drought and fire risks, BPBD is also alerting the public to the "bediding" phenomenon. This condition is characterized by a significant temperature difference between cool nights and warm days, a common occurrence during the peak of the dry season. The lack of cloud cover allows solar heat to reach the earth's surface intensely during the day, while the stored heat dissipates rapidly at night, leading to temperatures dropping to around 19-21 degrees Celsius. Conversely, daytime temperatures can soar to 31-32 degrees Celsius.

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As a result, the public feels a quite extreme temperature difference. At night to morning the air feels cold with temperatures ranging from 19 to 21 degrees Celsius, while during the day the temperature can reach 31 to 32 degrees Celsius.

This sharp temperature fluctuation poses health risks. Dry, dusty air can trigger acute respiratory infections (ISPA), coughs, flu, and respiratory irritation, while also lowering the body's immunity. High daytime temperatures increase the risk of dehydration and heat stroke, especially for vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and those who work outdoors. BPBD also stresses the importance of fire prevention, urging residents not to burn trash indiscriminately, discard cigarette butts in dry areas, and ensure electrical installations are safe to prevent fires.

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We urge the public not to burn trash carelessly, not to throw cigarette butts in dry areas, and to ensure electrical installations at home are in safe condition to prevent fires.