Indonesia sees mostly light rain and thunderstorms across most regions on Sunday

JAKARTA, 11 OCTOBER 2026 —

Indonesia’s BMKG Warns of Heavy Rain, Thunderstorms and Haze Across Major Cities as Weather Disruptions Intensify

The forecast underscores the growing unpredictability of Indonesia’s monsoon season, which has already triggered localized flooding and power outages in several provinces. With authorities urging vigilance, the weather patterns could exacerbate existing challenges, including haze from land and forest fires in eastern regions and soaring temperatures in equatorial zones.

BMKG’s detailed regional breakdown reveals a patchwork of weather extremes. In Sumatra, heavy rain is expected in Medan, while lighter showers will affect Banda Aceh, Pekanbaru, Padang, Jambi, Bengkulu, and Bandar Lampung. Meanwhile, Tanjung Pinang, Palembang, and Pangkal Pinang face the risk of haze, reducing visibility and posing health risks. Ali noted that these conditions could persist due to lingering smoke particles from agricultural burning and industrial emissions.

Moving to Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara, Serang, Jakarta, and Semarang will experience light rain, while Bandung, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Mataram, and Kupang are forecasted to remain mostly cloudy, with Denpasar also under a haze alert. The agency cautioned that sudden downpours could lead to localized flooding, particularly in urban areas with inadequate drainage systems.

Kalimantan is bracing for the most severe weather, with Tanjung Selor under a thunderstorm warning, Palangka Raya expecting moderate rain, and Pontianak facing light showers. Samarinda may experience haze, while Banjarmasin could see temperatures soar to 37°C, heightening the risk of heatstroke and wildfires. Ali emphasized that these conditions warrant heightened preparedness, particularly in low-lying and coastal regions prone to flash floods.

In Sulawesi, light rain is anticipated in Palu and Mamuju, whereas Gorontalo, Manado, Kendari, and Makassar will remain cloudy. The easternmost regions, including Jayapura and Jayawijaya, are also set for light rain, while Merauke will see overcast skies. However, Sorong, Ambon, Manokwari, Nabire, and Ternate face a dual threat of haze and smoke, compounding respiratory risks for residents already grappling with seasonal allergies and pollution.

The BMKG’s forecast serves as a general outlook, with real-time updates available through its Info BMKG app and official social media account (@infobmkg). Authorities have not yet issued specific advisories for travel disruptions, but local governments in high-risk areas—such as Medan, Palangka Raya, and Banjarmasin—are likely to activate emergency response protocols. The agency’s warnings align with broader trends of erratic weather patterns in Southeast Asia, attributed to shifting climate dynamics and El Niño-related disruptions.

For businesses and commuters, the forecast signals potential delays in logistics, particularly in Jakarta, Surabaya, and Palembang, where rain could clog roads and reduce visibility. Agricultural sectors in Sumatra and Kalimantan may also face crop damage from excessive rainfall, while haze in eastern Indonesia could ground flights and trigger public health alerts.

The BMKG has not yet provided a long-term outlook, but Ali’s remarks suggest that these conditions may persist into next week, depending on atmospheric pressure shifts.

The story concludes with the most recent development: the BMKG’s call for the public to monitor hourly updates via official channels, as dynamic weather systems could lead to rapid changes. No further advisories or government responses have been reported at this time.

Related: Miftah Ali