BMKG forecasts gradual rainfall in forest fire-prone areas

The Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics (BMKG) forecasts that rainfall will begin to descend gradually from September to October 2026 in several areas prone to forest and land fires (karhutla), such as Sumatra and Kalimantan, which may assist in the fire suppression process.

BMKG Deputy for Climatology, Ardhasena Sopaheluwakan, stated during a press conference in Jakarta on Tuesday that current monitoring shows several regions in Sumatra and northern Kalimantan have already begun to experience rainfall.

“For southern West Kalimantan and southern Central Kalimantan, the prediction for the start of the persistent rainy season occurs during the second and third ten-day periods of October. However, before that, rain will begin to arrive gradually,” he said.

He explained that this gradual decrease in dry conditions is expected to reduce haze density and help extinguish fire spots that are disrupting the activities of local communities.

Furthermore, in October, rainfall is expected to reach the regions of Jambi and South Sumatra.

“The Riau region has already entered the rainy season in September, which helps reduce the number of hotspots. Meanwhile, for southern regions such as Jambi and South Sumatra, rain will begin to arrive in October,” he added.

Nevertheless, he added that BMKG continues to urge local forest fire suppression task forces to optimise land wetting operations, both on the ground and via air (Weather Modification Operations/OMC), and to utilise the arrival of natural rainfall to complete suppression efforts, particularly in mineral and peatland areas.