Minister Hanggodo Forms Task Force, Prepares Rp17 Trillion to Face El Niño Godzilla
The Minister of Public Works (PU), Dody Hanggodo, is preparing several anticipatory measures to face the potential for extreme El Niño, often referred to as ‘El Niño Godzilla’, during the 2026-2027 period.
One of the steps to be taken is the formation of a special task force involving various units within the Ministry of Public Works. According to Dody, the formation of this task force is necessary because the impact of El Niño threatens not only the agricultural sector but also has the potential to affect various water resource infrastructures under the ministry’s responsibility.
“Specifically for the community, regarding El Niño, I will form a special Task Force to face El Niño 2026-2027,” said Dody during the Infratalks event at the Ministry of Public Works office in Jakarta on Friday (19/06/2026).
He explained that the task force will serve as a coordination hub across various Directorates-General to ensure infrastructure readiness in facing the threat of drought expected to occur due to the phenomenon. “Why must there be a task force? Those affected are not just issues with irrigation and rice fields not receiving water supplies due to drought, but also perhaps at several points, our reservoirs might also experience drought. Dams may also experience the same thing. This is because it involves various Directorates-General, such as Water Resources, Human Settlements (Cipta Karya), and so on,” he explained.
Dody noted that mitigation efforts have actually been underway for some time. One such effort includes drilling for water sources in several regions prone to drought during long dry seasons. “Throughout Indonesia, including in Java, for example, in Gunung Kidul. In Gunung Kidul, we are conducting drilling at several points. So, in all points, not just famous dry places like NTT, but also in other locations,” he said.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Public Works is also strengthening readiness in the agricultural sector through the construction of tertiary irrigation channels. Dody admitted that the government previously faced obstacles regarding the limited data on irrigation networks spread across various regions. Consequently, the Ministry of Public Works is now coordinating with the Ministry of Agriculture to conduct data collection and mapping of irrigation networks so that drought management can be carried out more effectively.
Additionally, Dody touched upon the continuation of the regional road construction programme, which is now regulated under Presidential Instruction Number 11 of 2025 concerning the Acceleration of Regional Road Connectivity Improvement. To accelerate its implementation, the government plans to utilise funding from the World Bank. This loan will be used to support the implementation of the Regional Road Presidential Instruction programme in 2027.
“We are requesting a loan from the World Bank so that we can move faster for the Regional Road Presidential Instruction (2027). Rp17 trillion,” he stated.
The proposed loan value reaches Rp17 trillion. These funds are expected to accelerate the improvement of quality and connectivity of regional roads across various regions of Indonesia.