BMKG Warns of Rain and Strong Winds During Eid Holiday Travel Period
Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has updated weather forecasts ahead of the early Eid holiday travel period in 2026.
Overall atmospheric conditions across most Indonesian regions remain relatively conducive, though the public is advised to remain vigilant regarding potential rainfall accompanied by lightning and strong winds in several areas.
BMKG head Teuku Faisal Fathani urged the public to remain calm but cautious regarding weather developments during holiday travel. He emphasised the importance of consulting official information sources and avoiding misinformation.
“Continue monitoring updated land, sea and air weather information to adjust holiday travel plans through various official BMKG channels,” Faisal said in a press statement on Tuesday, 16 March 2026.
Andri Ramdhani, acting deputy for BMKG’s meteorology division, explained that Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) activity remains active in southern and eastern Indonesian regions. This condition, coupled with equatorial Rossby waves and Kelvin wave activity during 13-20 March 2026, strengthens atmospheric dynamics supporting cloud formation and rainfall in several areas.
He noted that this situation is also influenced by relatively high humidity levels and unstable atmospheric conditions, increasing the potential for rainfall cloud development.
BMKG forecasts moderate to heavy rainfall potential during 14-17 March 2026 in parts of Sumatra and central and eastern Java. During 18-20 March 2026, rainfall is also expected in parts of South Sulawesi and Papua.
In the aviation sector, BMKG has identified potential cumulonimbus cloud development covering considerable areas across several holiday air routes, particularly over the Maluku Sea and northern Papua. The probability of such cloud formation is forecast to exceed 75 per cent and requires attention for aviation activities in these regions.
Ida Pramuwardani, acting director of BMKG’s public meteorology division, recommends the public and travellers regularly monitor weather information through the InfoBMKG application or the official BMKG website.
She also urged the public to prepare emergency supplies before travelling, increase caution while driving in rainy conditions, and ensure homes are secure against potential hydrometereological risks before departure for holiday travel.
BMKG also encouraged the public to remain calm and trust only weather information from official government channels to prevent the spread of false information or misinformation.