Five Jakarta Areas Face Meteorological Drought Alert

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has announced that five regions within DKI Jakarta are at risk of meteorological drought. Specifically, from September 1 to 10, 2026, West Jakarta, Central Jakarta, East Jakarta, North Jakarta, and the Thousand Islands (Kepulauan Seribu) have been elevated to a 'drought alert' (siaga kekeringan meteorologis) status. This early warning, published on the BMKG's official website, indicates the occurrence of 'meteorological drought,' a condition where rainfall in a region falls below its climatological normal for a specific period. This can be caused by weather and climate variability or anomalies. Prolonged meteorological drought can lead to agricultural drought, hydrological drought, and even socio-economic drought. Meteorological drought is classified into four categories: 'no warning,' 'watch,' 'alert,' and 'critical.' The five affected areas fall into the 'alert' category, signifying a prediction of at least 31 consecutive days without sufficient rainfall. In response to this warning, the BMKG urges residents to conserve water, refrain from burning land and trash, and reduce outdoor activities during the daytime. Source: CNN Indonesia