El Niño Predicted for April, Pramono Warns of Impact on Jakarta's Economy

JAKARTA - Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has warned of the potential impact of the El Niño climate phenomenon on the capital’s economy. The climate event is forecasted to begin in mid-April and last until September 2026. “The BMKG has officially announced that El Niño will start from mid-April to September. This means, sooner or later, it will certainly affect the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government,” said Pramono during the opening of the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government’s Development Planning Deliberation (Musrenbang) at City Hall on Thursday (16/4/2026). According to him, El Niño conditions could influence various sectors, from food availability to price stability in the market. “Up to today, we have not yet found a common ground on what will happen and how to resolve it because, in any case, this will affect fuel prices, supply chains, and various existing issues,” he stated. Therefore, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government is urged to prepare anticipatory steps, especially in the short term, to maintain regional economic stability. Despite facing various challenges, Pramono remains optimistic that Jakarta’s economy can be safeguarded. He noted that several macroeconomic indicators currently show positive trends. In 2025, Jakarta’s economic growth was recorded at 5.21 per cent, above the national average. “The DKI Jakarta Government must take short-term steps to address that,” Pramono added.