Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has instructed regional governments across the archipelago to prepare for a potential clean water crisis, warning that the upcoming dry season could last up to 11 months.
The directive comes as meteorological agencies globally confirm the rapid development of El Niño, a climate pattern that typically brings severe drought to Southeast Asia.
The BNPB’s alert underscores the immediate operational risks facing local authorities, particularly in securing water supplies for agriculture and domestic use.
With the agency urging proactive measures, the focus shifts to infrastructure readiness and resource allocation ahead of the peak dry period.
This development aligns with broader global warnings.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has confirmed that El Niño has developed and is set to intensify rapidly into a strong climate event between July and September.