DPR Urges BNPB to Map El Nino Threat Data for Comprehensive Anticipation Measures

A member of the House of Representatives (DPR) has urged the government to task the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) with collecting data on the threats and potential impacts accompanying the El Nino phenomenon, which is expected to coincide with the dry season in 2026.

Wakil Ketua Komisi IV DPR RI Alex Indra Lukman stated that accurate data would facilitate the formulation of more comprehensive anticipatory measures. It would also assist the DPR in conducting oversight and evaluation.

He explained that the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) predicts the peak of the dry season in Indonesia will occur between July and September 2026. The peak in July is expected to cover 83 seasonal zones (ZOM), or 12.26 percent of Indonesia’s land area. In August, the peak dry season will affect 369 ZOM (48.84 percent of the land area), and in September, it will cover 169 ZOM (25.41 percent).

He assessed that the potential problems faced by each region will differ according to their respective characteristics. “BNPB’s ability to orchestrate data collection will result in more accurate, measurable, and targeted anticipatory measures,” he said in Jakarta on Wednesday.

He cited the provinces of Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, and South Kalimantan, which are frequently plagued by forest and land fires (Karhutla). “Almost every year, Karhutla becomes a recurring event in these seven provinces. The Ministry of Forestry, as the leading sector, must not allow this incident to be treated like an anniversary celebration,” he stated.

The Ministry of Forestry must be able to design anticipatory measures so that the tragedies of previous years, including the loss of life of Manggala Agni personnel as well as TNI and Polri members carrying out state duties to extinguish Karhutla, are not repeated. “This must not happen again,” said the man who also serves as Chair of the Land Use Change Working Committee of Commission IV DPR RI.

Alex noted that the personal protective equipment for officers deployed to extinguish forest and land fires is often minimal. Furthermore, the location of the fires deep in the wilderness presents a significant challenge. “It is only proper that we design a more comprehensive plan to close the gaps that lead to casualties,” he said.