The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has forecast that this year’s dry season will arrive earlier in several regions of Indonesia and may last for a shorter duration in some areas.
The dry season is predicted to begin between April and May, with its peak occurring from June to July.
A climatology expert from the UGM Faculty of Geography, Dr. Emilya Nurjani, explained that seasonal winds, commonly referred to as monsoons, influence the variation in the dry season’s duration.
The main monsoons affecting Indonesia’s seasons are the Asian Monsoon (Eastern Monsoon) and the Australian Monsoon (Western Monsoon).
According to Dr. Nurjani, the Asian Monsoon generally marks the beginning of the rainy season, while the Australian Monsoon signals the start of the dry season. However, the timing of these monsoons can differ by region.
“They don’t always arrive simultaneously. Once they do, we can start identifying when the rainy or dry season begins,” the expert said.
In addition to monsoons, other climate phenomena may also affect Indonesia’s seasonal patterns. These include El Niño and La Niña, the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), tropical cyclones, atmospheric oscillations, and the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation (QBO).
However, Dr. Nurjani noted that this year, such phenomena are not expected to have a significant impact on rainfall in Indonesia.
Regarding the duration of the dry season, Dr. Nurjani stated that it could range significantly, with some regions experiencing up to 24 dekads, or approximately eight months, of dry weather.
She estimates that the length of this year’s dry season will be similar to that of previous years. Therefore, she encouraged farmers to carefully plan crops suited to the expected conditions.
She recommended choosing crop varieties that require less water and shorter growing periods in regions likely to face prolonged dry spells.
Farmers are also advised to manage irrigation systems more effectively by regulating the operation of reservoir gates where applicable.
“Retention ponds can also be useful for meeting water needs, provided they are filled during the rainy season,” she added.
Dr. Nurjani further recommended installing rainwater harvesting systems, especially since some areas have still been experiencing rainfall in recent weeks.
She explained that storing rainwater now could help communities maintain a reserve when the dry season peaks.
Author: Leony
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya
Illustration: Freepik