BNPB outlines eight rainy season preparedness measures for regions

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2 hours ago

Jakarta (ANTARA) –

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) outlined eight preparedness measures for local governments nationwide in anticipation of the 2026/2027 rainy season and the heightened risk of hydrometeorological disasters.

BNPB’s Acting Head for Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center, Berton Panjaitan, on Monday said the policy was stipulated in BNPB Head Circular Letter Number 4 of 2026, signed by BNPB Head Kristomei Sianturi on October 30, 2026.

“These anticipatory measures were taken based on the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG)’s forecast that most parts of Indonesia will enter the rainy season in late 2026 to early 2027, with the potential to trigger floods, landslides, strong winds, and high waves,” Panjaitan explained.

The policy, aimed at governors, district heads, and mayors throughout Indonesia, emphasizes the importance of early preparedness to save lives, minimize property losses, and ensure prompt, accurate, and integrated emergency response coordination.

The first step requires regional governments to map disaster-prone areas based on risk assessment documents, contingency plans, the InaRISK portal, and the Indonesian Disaster Information Data Portal (DIBI) as a basis for determining response priorities.

Regions must also ensure the readiness of personnel, equipment, and logistics for emergency response by holding preparedness briefings and optimizing the use of Ready-to-Use Funds (DSP) if their regions declare a state of emergency.

The third and fourth measures focus on improving weather monitoring and early warning systems. Regional governments are required to closely monitor periodic reports from BMKG and relay the information to the public.

Furthermore, BNPB instructed the strengthening of disaster management coordination through a pentahelix approach involving government, community, business, academic, and media elements, along with the obligation to maintain 24-hour emergency response posts.

The fifth through eighth steps focus on operational efforts in the field, including increased community-based education and outreach regarding independent evacuation and the protection of vulnerable groups.

“This includes implementing physical mitigation measures, such as clearing drainage channels and normalizing rivers, as well as requiring regional heads, through their respective Regional Disaster Mitigation Agencies (BPBDs), to regularly report on developments to BNPB,” Panjaitan said.

Previously, BMKG reported the start of the rainy season would occur in stages, beginning in November 2026 in 185 Seasonal Zones (ZOM), or 24.66 percent of the land area, followed by December 2026 in 266 ZOM, or 17.31 percent of the land area.

BMKG Head Teuku Faisal Fathani informed that despite its late arrival, accumulated rainfall in 510 ZOMs, or 69.76 percent of Indonesia’s land area, is predicted to be within the normal range.

The agency projects that the peak of the rainy season will occur in waves, starting in December 2026 in 155 ZOMs (36.94 percent of the land area), then in January 2027 in 162 ZOMs (25.68 percent of the land area), and ending in February 2027 in 190 ZOMs (16.79 percent of the land area).

The duration of the rainy season in 482 ZOMs, or 51.90 percent of Indonesia’s land area, is predicted to be shorter than normal.