Bantul, Gunungkidul, and Kulon Progo Declared Red Zones for Meteorological Drought
The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has issued an early warning for meteorological drought for the first ten-day period of August (1-10 August 2026). Several regions have been placed in the red zone, or the highest alert category, including Bantul, Gunungkidul, and Kulon Progo.
Meteorological drought is a condition where weather and climate anomalies result in a lack of rainfall during a specific period. This condition is marked by reduced rainfall, increased temperatures, and heightened evapotranspiration.
According to the BMKG, approximately 74 per cent of Indonesia’s territory has now entered the dry season. The 2026 dry season in Indonesia is expected to worsen due to the El Niño phenomenon, which is forecast to persist until early 2027.
The BMKG has also announced that the peak of the 2026 dry season is predicted to occur between July and September 2026. This peak will not occur simultaneously, with some regions already experiencing it while others have yet to reach it.
In an official statement, the BMKG urged residents in areas already experiencing the dry season to conserve water and use it wisely, refrain from burning land and waste, reduce outdoor activities during the day if possible, and continuously monitor weather and climate information via the official InfoBMKG Instagram account.
The BMKG classifies early warnings for meteorological drought into three categories. The first is ‘Alert’ (Waspada), indicated by yellow, meaning rainfall in the area has decreased to below normal. The second is ‘Standby’ (Siaga), indicated by orange, meaning the drought has caused groundwater reserves to decline. The final classification is ‘Warning’ (Awas), indicated by red, meaning the area has not received rain for a long time and is threatened by severe drought.
The early warning for the first ten-day period of August 2026 applies to 27 provinces, including the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY). Five areas in DIY fall into the Standby and Warning categories. The city of Yogyakarta and Sleman Regency are under the Standby category, while Bantul, Gunungkidul, and Kulon Progo regencies are under the Warning category.