AHY Urges Vigilance Against El Niño: 'We Must Not Be Complacent as Temperatures Rise'

Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) has said the current El Nino is not causing significant problems because it coincides with the dry season. He assessed that this El Nino will not affect the food sector or the economy as a whole.

“We must prepare ourselves as well as possible so that this El Nino, which coincides with the dry season, does not present overly significant problems for our society, including disrupting the food sector and the economy as a whole,” said AHY after a limited meeting at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday (27/7/2026).

Within his portfolio, AHY assured the readiness of water resource infrastructure. His ministry will ensure the availability of clean water remains guaranteed, both for household needs and for rice paddies.

“For example, ensuring that our dams and reservoirs have sufficient water discharge for clean water supply, raw water supply for the public, and also to support irrigation. Irrigation is important because we must ensure water continues to flow to our rice paddies and guarantee that our agricultural productivity is not too disrupted,” he said.

He then revealed data from the Ministry of Public Works showing that the current water balance remains sufficient and safe. Nevertheless, he urged the public not to be complacent because temperatures continue to rise.

“Overall, our water balance remains adequate and sufficient. That means it is still safe. And earlier we also heard from the Minister of Agriculture, for instance, who conveyed that our food stocks also remain quite safe. But we must not be complacent because the intensity of El Nino can continue to increase,” he said.

On the other hand, AHY said there are many issues that must be anticipated to the fullest, namely forest and land fires (karhutla), given the continued potential for fire hotspots in several regions.

“Earlier, for example, the Head of BMKG also conveyed a trendline we must anticipate together, especially if El Nino continues to coincide with the dry season. Why? Because beyond the issue of readiness or availability of clean water, there is also the issue of forest and land fires,” he said.

“Because we know that in a number of provinces, such as Riau, then Jambi, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, and several other provinces, whether on peatland or non-peatland, hotspots or points of fire often appear and must be anticipated immediately,” AHY continued.