TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has urged the public to remain vigilant as the country enters the Christmas 2025 and New Year 2026 holiday period, warning of a heightened risk of extreme weather driven by an active Asian monsoon.
The warning comes amid traditionally high public mobility at year’s end, when millions of Indonesians travel across the archipelago to celebrate with family.
According to BMKG, the Asian monsoon is currently intensifying the flow of moist air into Indonesia, increasing the likelihood of heavy rainfall in many regions.
BMKG’s Director of Public Meteorology, Andri Ramdhani, said that over the coming week, heavy to very heavy rainfall could affect parts of Riau, Bengkulu, West Java, Central Java, East Java, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), West, East, and South Kalimantan, Central, West, and South Sulawesi, as well as South Papua.
Climatologically, Andri noted that regions requiring heightened alertness include southern Sumatra, Java, Bali, Nusa Tenggara, and South Papua, where rainfall is expected to intensify from late December through early January 2026.
Addressing areas hit by deadly floods and landslides in November—Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra—Andri said conditions are forecast to be relatively stable in the coming week.
“Most of these regions are shown in green on our prediction map, indicating light rainfall of less than 20 millimeters per day,” he said. However, he cautioned that parts of Aceh remain under moderate rainfall risk, urging residents to stay alert.
Weather Warnings as Risk Mitigation, Not Restrictions
BNPB’s Head of Data, Information, and Disaster Communication, Abdul Muhari, stressed that BMKG’s weather updates are intended to help people manage risks, not discourage holiday activities.
“This is not meant to prevent people from spending time with family,” Abdul said. “But if you plan outdoor activities, know evacuation routes, assembly points, and always monitor BMKG updates.”
Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno emphasized that year-end weather in Indonesia is often dynamic and difficult to predict, especially following landslides that have caused river sedimentation in several areas.
“People traveling during the Christmas and New Year holidays should continuously monitor early warning information,” he said during a virtual press conference on December 25. He added that agencies such as BMKG and BNPB will continue issuing timely alerts.
When inspecting holiday transport readiness at Merak Port in Banten, Pratikno said mitigating the impact of extreme weather is a top government priority, alongside recovery efforts in disaster-hit areas and monitoring cyclone-related phenomena.
He assured the public that the military (TNI), police (Polri), search and rescue teams (Basarnas), and relevant ministries are fully prepared to respond if conditions worsen.
Transport Safety and Early Warning Systems
Separately, Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) said the government has ordered the real-time integration of BMKG weather data across all transportation sectors.
Heavy equipment has been positioned at disaster-prone locations, while maritime and aviation personnel have been instructed to closely monitor early warning systems—particularly for high waves and winds exceeding 20 knots.
“Safety is our top priority,” Agus said, noting that nearly 40 percent of passenger movement during the holidays is expected toward central and eastern Indonesia, regions more exposed to severe weather risks.
He added that the measures align with President Prabowo Subianto’s directive to strengthen disaster mitigation and ensure safe, affordable, and comfortable travel.
Additional Security and Disaster Response Measures
Meanwhile, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo said more than 11,000 Banser personnel from West and Central Java have been deployed to assist in disaster preparedness during the year-end period.
“Extreme weather and natural disasters are among the main challenges during Christmas and New Year,” he said, highlighting Banser’s experience in evacuation, search and rescue, and humanitarian assistance.
Authorities hope that strong cross-sector coordination and public awareness will help minimize disruptions, allowing Indonesians to welcome the New Year safely despite the heightened weather risks.
Novali Panji Nugroho, Alif Ilham Fajriadi, and Hanin Marwah contributed to the writing of this article.
Read: Heavy Rain Expected to Persist in Sumatra Until January 2026, BMKG Says
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