DIY Has Gone Five Months Without Rain
YOGYAKARTA — Yogyakarta Special Region (DIY) had recorded 161 consecutive days without rain as of early October 2026. The longest dry spell was recorded at the Pajangan Agricultural Extension Centre (BPP) in Bantul Regency, and was also the longest in Indonesia in 2026, according to the latest data from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).
Mamenun, head of BMKG’s Class II Yogyakarta Climatology Station, said the prolonged dry conditions should be a cause for public concern. However, the 2026 record has not surpassed the longest dry spell on record, set in 2015, when El Niño also occurred. That year, the longest period without rain lasted 245 days.
“As of the first ten-day period of October 2026, it had reached 161 days. The record for the longest period without rain was in 2015, when El Niño also occurred. In 2015, the longest period without rain was recorded at 245 days,” he told Republika on Thursday (15 October 2026).
BMKG forecasts that the start of the 2026/2027 rainy season in DIY will be later than the climatological norm. Mamenun said it was expected to be delayed by at least three ten-day periods, or around 30 days, compared with the 1991–2020 climatological average.
He said one factor influencing the conditions was El Niño, which remains at a very strong level and is forecast to continue until early 2027. This could extend the dry period in several areas, so people should prepare for its effects, particularly on water availability.
“El Niño is still at a very strong level and is forecast to persist until early 2027. This is a delay compared with the climatological norm,” he said.
Despite the ongoing dry season, the public has been urged to remain alert to the risk of extreme weather. BMKG warned that heavy rain, strong winds and lightning could occur in isolated areas between 13 and 19 October 2026. Dynamic atmospheric conditions mean rain may fall in some areas even while others continue to experience lengthy rain-free periods.
The following is a list of 25 provinces and their rain-free periods as of 10 October 2026:
Yogyakarta Special Region: 161 days
Central Java: 160 days
East Java: 159 days
East Nusa Tenggara: 148 days
West Nusa Tenggara: 145 days
Bali: 143 days
West Java: 140 days
Banten: 137 days
South Sulawesi: 132 days
Maluku: 124 days
Bangka Belitung Islands: 123 days
South-east Sulawesi: 119 days
South Kalimantan: 118 days
North Sulawesi: 118 days
West Sulawesi: 118 days
Central Kalimantan: 117 days
Lampung: 116 days
North Maluku: 116 days
Jakarta: 109 days
South Sumatra: 106 days
West Papua: 100 days
Papua: 92 days
Central Sulawesi: 81 days
Jambi: 80 days
East Kalimantan: 79 days