Godzilla El Niño Disaster Threatens Indonesian Regions, UGM Expert Issues Warning

Rising sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean have influenced weather patterns across the globe, triggering the El Niño phenomenon that has garnered international attention. Recently, the term ‘Godzilla El Niño’ has been used to describe the phenomenon’s intense severity. This condition is predicted to have significant impacts on tropical countries, including Indonesia. Prolonged droughts resulting from El Niño will severely affect the agricultural sector due to its heavy reliance on water availability. The risks are substantial, potentially reducing productivity and disrupting national food security. Professor Bayu Dwi Apri Nugroho, a Professor in Agrometeorology at Universitas Gadjah Mada, stated that El Niño is part of a long-standing climate cycle. However, global climate change has made its patterns more dynamic and difficult to predict. “El Niño is actually a natural cycle that has occurred for a long time. But now its pattern feels faster due to global warming. If its intensity is very strong, the impact will certainly be felt in agriculture, especially in terms of production,” said Bayu, quoted from the official UGM website on Friday (3/4/2026). Furthermore, Bayu explained that crops like rice and maize are highly vulnerable because their growth phases depend on sufficient water. When water supply decreases, plants cannot develop optimally. In extreme conditions, plants may even suffer permanent damage. “Rice and maize are the most affected because they require a lot of water. If water is insufficient, their growth is disrupted, and it can even lead to crop failure,” he stated. In addition, short-term risks can immediately confront farmers in the field. Reduced water availability leads to lower harvest yields and impacts production quality. According to Bayu, this situation affects farmers’ incomes, which heavily depend on harvest results. “If drought occurs after planting, farmers can face crop failure. That means the costs already incurred will not be recovered and become losses,” said Bayu. The Importance of Mitigation Measures Bayu emphasised the importance of mitigation steps at the farmer level to minimise risks. One effective effort is strengthening communication between farmers and agricultural extension workers. Access to information on weather conditions and crop variety choices becomes a determining factor in cultivation strategies. Intensive guidance helps farmers adjust practices in the field. “The key lies in communication between farmers and extension workers. If the information is clear, farmers can make more accurate decisions in the field,” he explained. According to Bayu, these adaptation efforts have already been supported by Indonesia’s experience in facing El Niño in previous periods. Various programmes have been implemented to anticipate drought impacts, including strengthening infrastructure and agricultural technology. Innovations such as water-saving irrigation and the development of drought-resistant varieties continue to be pursued. Additionally, real-time weather information is now more easily accessible. “We already have experience from 2024, for example through pump irrigation and drip irrigation innovations. Drought-resistant varieties have also been developed; they just need to be utilised well,” Bayu noted. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of these efforts still depends on farmers’ adaptation capacity in the field. He stressed the important role of extension workers in bridging innovations with daily farming practices. Ongoing guidance helps farmers understand and apply technologies correctly. With such support, farmers can be better prepared to face extreme climate conditions. “The role of extension workers is very important, especially when farmers face prolonged droughts like now,” he asserted. In the policy context, strategic steps need to be taken in an integrated manner between the government, universities, and related institutions. Providing accurate information down to the village level is crucial in facing extreme weather conditions. On the other hand, agricultural technology innovations need to be continuously developed to enhance food sector resilience. Bayu affirmed that cross-sector collaboration is key to maintaining production stability. “The government through BMKG needs to provide accurate early warnings down to the village level, while universities must be encouraged to produce drought-resistant variety innovations so that the El Niño impact can be minimised,” he concluded.