BMKG warns 18 Indonesian coastal regions of potential tidal flooding from 8-22 July

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has issued an early warning regarding the potential for coastal flooding, or rob, predicted to affect 18 coastal regions in Indonesia over varying periods between 8 and 22 July 2026. Acting Director of Maritime Meteorology at BMKG, Agie Wandala Putra, stated in Jakarta on Tuesday that the threat is triggered by the Super New Moon astronomical phenomenon. “The Super New Moon phenomenon, which is the perigee and new moon phase on 14 July 2026, has the potential to increase the maximum sea level,” he explained. Based on monitoring data of water levels and tidal predictions, Agie said the tidal flooding could potentially inundate coastal areas of Aceh, North Sumatra, Riau Islands, West Sumatra, Jambi, Bangka Belitung Islands, Banten, Jakarta, and West Java. Furthermore, the increase in sea volume is also likely to occur in the coastal areas of Central Java, East Java, Bali, West Nusa Tenggara, North Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, West Kalimantan, North Sulawesi, and Maluku. The coastal region of Maluku is recorded as the area with the longest potential duration of tidal flooding, with the Aru Islands projected to be affected from 8 to 21 July, and East Seram from 8 to 22 July 2026. According to Agie, BMKG has also mapped that this potential coastal flooding could generally disrupt economic activities and the daily routines of communities around port areas and coastal settlements. Sectors particularly vulnerable to direct impact include loading and unloading activities at ports, the livelihoods of residents in coastal settlements, as well as the operations of salt ponds and inland fisheries.