JAKARTA – Indonesia’s weather agency has forecasted a longer-than-usual wet season for 2025, raising concerns about floods and intense rainfall across the sprawling archipelago. The peak of the wet season, starting in November and lasting through February 2026, is expected to impact most regions with significant rain.
The peak wet season will begin earliest in November and December on Sumatra and Borneo islands, while Java, Sulawesi, Maluku, and Papua islands will experience their peak rainfall from January to February. The Indonesia Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) cautioned residents to be alert due to the extended duration and widespread nature of the wet season.
Officials warned of the danger posed by extreme rainfall events, where some areas could receive rainfall equivalent to an entire month in just a single day. Such conditions recently triggered severe flooding on Bali, particularly in the capital Denpasar and surrounding areas, causing 18 deaths and forcing the evacuation of over 500 people.
The agency underscored the need for preparedness ahead of the peak wet season, drawing lessons from the recent floods in Bali. Earlier forecasts had also predicted a shorter-than-usual dry season in 2025 due to elevated precipitation levels.
As the nation prepares for continued heavy rains, officials and communities are urged to remain vigilant and ready for potential emergencies throughout the coming months.