Indonesia Braces for Flood Risk in Greater Jakarta Amid Heavy Rains

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Pratikno, has urged ministries and government agencies to remain on high alert for possible flooding in Greater Jakarta following a severe weather warning from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).

Heavy rain is forecast to hit from August 11 to 13, 2025 in the capital region, known locally as Jabodetabek, encompassing Jakarta and surrounding cities Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi.

“BNPB [the National Disaster Management Agency] must ensure readiness in flood-prone areas and the availability of evacuation facilities, while the Public Works Ministry must maintain smooth water flow and the integrity of flood barriers,” Pratikno said on Tuesday.

He added that the Home Affairs Ministry has been tasked with coordinating with local governments on flood response efforts, while the Social Affairs Ministry has been instructed to prepare logistical aid and psychosocial support for residents in the aftermath of potential flooding.

“Local governments, ministries, and the public should take preventive measures and strengthen preparedness,” Pratikno said, urging residents to keep monitoring official updates from BMKG and BNPB.

The minister also revealed that his office is initiating a Presidential Instruction (Inpres) on accelerating flood risk reduction in the Jabodetabekpunjur area, which covers Greater Jakarta plus the Puncak highlands and Cianjur in West Java.

The regulation will serve as a coordinated action plan across ministries, agencies, and local administrations, using upstream to downstream measures. This will include a roadmap, institutional arrangements for rapid response to early warnings, and long-term strategies to reduce economic losses and build community resilience.

Heavy Rain and High Waves

BMKG earlier warned of potential extreme weather in the coming days. Andri Ramdhani, BMKG’s Director of Public Meteorology, said that moderate to heavy rainfall, accompanied by lightning and strong winds, is possible from August 11 to 13 across much of Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku, and Papua.

Rainfall is expected to ease between August 14 and 16, though heavy downpours may persist in Bengkulu, East Kalimantan, and Papua’s highland regions. Strong winds are also forecast in West Java, Banten, Aceh, Bali, East Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi, and South Papua, conditions that could trigger high waves in nearby seas.

The weather agency warned that the heavy rains could disrupt tourism activities, particularly in mountain and waterfall destinations. In Bali, visitors should be alert for torrential rain and dense fog, while those heading to southern beaches in Java and Bali are advised to beware of high waves and strong winds that could endanger swimmers and boaters.