RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian government is strengthening cross-sectoral mitigation efforts in anticipation of a strong to very strong El Niño in 2026 thru the provision of accurate climate information and early warning systems. These efforts are aimed at reducing risks to food security, water resources, energy, health, and the economy amid the increasing impacts of global climate change.

Head of the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), Teuku Faisal Fathani, said that El Niño is not just a climate phenomenon, but also a development challenge that requires coordination among all stakeholders.

"El Niño is a challenge that impacts various sectors of national development. Building resilience against El Niño requires cross-sector preparedness supported by accurate, timely, and accountable climate information," Faisal conveyed in Jakarta, Tuesday, August 4, 2026.

BMKG notes that the current El Niño is categorized as strong and has the potential to become very strong. These conditions are expected to cause a drier and longer dry season, especially from August to September, thereby increasing the risk of drought, reduced water availability, disruptions in food production, forest and land fires, as well as impacts on the energy sector, health, and community economic activities.

As a precautionary measure, BMKG has been providing El Niño predictions since March 2026 and continues to strengthen the From Early Warning to Early Action approach. These efforts are carried out thru the provision of ENSO predictions, seasonal forecasts, sectoral impact analyzes, early warning systems for drought and forest and land fires, sector-based climate information services, and support for Weather Modification Operations.

The Minister of National Development Planning, Rachmat Pambudy, emphasized that climate change must be part of national development planning so that the government's response is no longer reactive, but rather based on measurable early actions.

"We must ensure that the response we build is no longer reactive, but rather an integrated, measurable early action that is strongly rooted in climate analysis. With a strong foundation, we not only maintain the sustainability of national development but also demonstrate the resilience of the Indonesian nation in facing global climate dynamics," Rachmat said.

Thru the strengthening of climate information and cross-sector collaboration, the government hopes that every stakeholder can take earlier mitigation steps to reduce the impact of El Niño on society while maintaining food security, water resources, energy, and the sustainability of national development.