Government Strategy to Combat El Niño: Reservoirs to be Fully Filled Until October 2026

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Minister of Public Works, Dody Hanggodo, has revealed the government’s strategy to address the potential for a prolonged dry season due to the El Niño phenomenon, which involves maximising the storage capacity of reservoirs across Indonesia.

According to Dody, this step has already begun as part of early mitigation efforts, including direct monitoring of the condition of several reservoirs.

He stated that all reservoirs are currently being endeavoured to be kept in an optimal filled state to face the dry season.

“Now, all reservoirs are being worked on to be made full,” he said.

Dody explained that reservoirs at maximum capacity can support water needs, particularly for the agricultural sector, for a certain period even without rain.

He cited the Gajah Mungkur Reservoir as an example, which can supply irrigation water for the coming months if it is in a full condition.

Nevertheless, he emphasised that reservoir capacities still have a maximum limit, so additional strategies are needed if the dry season lasts longer.

As a follow-up measure, the Ministry of Public Works is preparing options for weather modification operations to maintain water availability in reservoirs.

According to Dody, this technology will be used to increase rainfall in the upstream areas of reservoirs if water reserves begin to decline.

In addition, the government is continuing the construction of water control infrastructure in several regions, including the building of dams at various locations as part of preventive efforts to address hydrometeorological disasters.