High Waves, Tidal Flooding, and Strong Winds Alert Issued for Central Java on Sunday, 26 July 2026
High waves of 1.25–2.5 metres and tidal flooding (rob) are occurring in Central Java on Sunday (26 July), with residents and fishermen active in coastal and marine areas beginning to be disrupted by conditions in the waters.
According to Media Indonesia’s monitoring on Sunday (26 July), thousands of fishermen in a number of areas along the northern coast (pantura) of Central Java have again heightened their vigilance when working at sea, with most choosing to stop fishing altogether because high waves are occurring in waters from Brebes to Rembang.
In addition, residents in coastal areas across the pantura are once again on alert for flooding caused by tidal surges (rob) with a maximum height of 1 metre occurring between 05.00 and 10.00 WIB. Activities have also begun to be disrupted as the floods have not only submerged dozens of villages but also economic centres.
“Rob has returned to submerge the roads since morning, making it difficult for us to get to the market and the fish auction hall,” said Akhadun (45), a resident of Wedung, Demak Regency.
Similar concerns were expressed by Suryani (50), a resident of Tayu, Pati Regency, who again worries about flooding as tides rise, because repairs to a collapsed sea dike have not been completed, meaning rob flooding could again submerge villages and pond farming areas, to the detriment of pond farmers.
Meanwhile, Wantoro, a fisherman from Wonokerto, Pekalongan Regency, said he has been forced to stop going to sea because of the return of high waves. Other fishermen in Bandengan, Jepara, said waves above 1.25 metres make it very difficult to catch fish. “With our small boats, we not only struggle to find fish but also fear accidents,” he added.
Lessy Andari, a forecaster at the BMKG Tanjung Emas Semarang Maritime Station, confirmed the situation, saying that from the early hours of Sunday (26 July), sea tides in the waters of northern Central Java have risen again, so residents in coastal areas along the pantura have been asked to adapt, remain vigilant and stay on alert.
In addition to the tidal surge, Lessy Andari continued, high waves of 1.25–2.5 metres are also occurring across all northern waters, namely Pekalongan-Kendal, Semarang-Demak, Jepara, Karimunjawa and Pati-Rembang. This poses considerable risk to shipping activities such as fishing vessels, barges, cargo and passenger boats, especially when wind speeds exceed 15 knots.
“Beware of high waves and rob in the waters on Sunday (26 July), as they will disrupt residents’ activities along the pantura. These conditions are also occurring in the southern waters of Central Java,” she said.
Despite turbulent conditions in the northern and southern waters of Central Java, the weather across most of the province is generally sunny and cloudy throughout the day, with no signs of rain in mountainous areas, highlands or lowlands.
“Aside from water shortages (drought), be wary of forest and land fires (karhutla) during this dry season, because many trees and plants are dry and easily ignited by sparks,” said Winda Ratri, a forecaster at the BMKG Ahmad Yani Semarang Meteorological Station, on Sunday (26 July).
In addition to colder air temperatures in mountainous and highland areas, Winda Ratri said residents should also be wary of strong winds occurring in several areas, particularly in the southern part of Central Java such as Cilacap, Kebumen, Purworejo and Wonogiri.
According to Winda Ratri, hot and stifling temperatures are quite noticeable in the lowlands during the day, with winds blowing from the east to the south at 5–35 kilometres per hour, air temperatures ranging from 16–34 degrees Celsius and humidity ranging from 45–95 per cent.
High waves of 1.25–2.5 metres continue in the southern waters of Central Java, whilst in northern waters high waves are occurring west and east of the Karimunjawa islands.
Areas of Central Java have a chance of light rain, especially in mountainous and highland regions such as Purbalingga, Banjarnegara, Wonosobo and Mungkid.