BMKG: Dry Season in South Kalimantan Arrives Earlier and Drier in April-May

The Indonesian Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) predicts that the 2026 dry season in South Kalimantan (Kalsel) will arrive earlier with drier conditions than normal, thereby increasing the potential for drought as well as forest and land fires (karhutla).

The Head of the Class I Climatology Station for South Kalimantan, Klaus Johannes Apoh Damanik, stated that the onset of the dry season in the province is expected to occur gradually from April to May 2026, with uneven characteristics across each region.

“The differences in the timing of the season’s onset are influenced by local climatological conditions, so some areas will enter the dry phase earlier than others,” he said during the Dissemination of the 2026 Dry Season Prediction Information, held virtually in Banjarbaru on Thursday.

He added that these conditions also have the potential to pressure the availability of clean water, trigger drought, and disrupt the productivity of the agricultural sector, which is highly dependent on rainfall.

He emphasised that experiences from previous years show that dry conditions often correlate with an increase in hotspots, particularly in peatland areas and open spaces.

He urged local governments, the business community, and the public to optimally utilise climatological information so that anticipatory measures can be more targeted.

“BMKG will continue to update information on the development of the dry season periodically to support mitigation efforts and minimise the impacts throughout 2026,” said Johannes Apoh Damanik.