Multiple regions in Indonesia are experiencing successive floods, even during what is typically the dry season.
The Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency noted on the 9th that this round of extreme weather is caused by a combination of three factors, and urged governments at all levels to strengthen disaster preparedness.
Indra, head of the Agency’s Climate Index Forecasting Team, stated that due to abnormal climate conditions, rainfall in many parts of Indonesia from July to September this year will be significantly higher than in the same period in previous years, with some regions potentially reaching extreme weather standards.
Indonesia’s climate is typically divided into rainy and dry seasons, with July to September being the quintessential dry season and the driest period of the year. However, frequent floods have been occurring lately.
According to a report by the Indonesian National Disaster Management Agency on the 9th, strong rainfall has inundated multiple areas in West Nusa Tenggara Province, resulting in one death and 1,753 people affected; on the 6th, sudden heavy rain in Bali Province caused river flooding and resulted in two deaths; recently, the capital Jakarta and surrounding areas such as Bogor, Tangerang, and Bekasi have also experienced multiple bouts of heavy rain, leading to floods and landslides.
Local media reports say the latest round of heavy rainfall has affected 49 communities in West Jakarta, with transportation disrupted in some areas.
Why is rainfall so frequent during the dry season? Indra analyzed that current abnormal weather is mainly driven by three factors: First, sea surface temperatures are higher than normal, increasing seawater evaporation and providing ample moisture for rainfall; second, the Australian monsoon has weakened, which would normally bring dry air and suppress rainfall; third, frequent short-period atmospheric fluctuations are further intensifying precipitation processes.
According to meteorological data, of nearly 700 climate zones nationwide in Indonesia, less than 30% have truly entered the dry season, while the majority still face a risk of heavy rainfall.