Head of the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) for the 2017-2025 period, Professor Dwikorita Karnawati, explained that Indonesia is currently entering the peak of the rainy season, which arrived earlier than in previous years, with high rainfall intensity reaching 300 to 500 millimeters per month, and in some regions even exceeding that level.
“The western and central parts of Indonesia will experience peak rainfall between November and December, while the central and eastern regions will reach their peak between December and February,” said Professor Dwikorita Karnawati during the Workshop on Enhancing the Capacity of Field Supervising Lecturers (DPL) to anticipate potential risks, organized by the Directorate of Community Service at UGM at the Multimedia Room 1, Friday, Nov. 7, 2025.
Professor Karnawati encouraged students and supervising lecturers to download the InfoBMKG application, which provides weather forecasts, rainfall intensity categories, and early warnings.
This information, she emphasized, is crucial for anticipating potential extreme weather hazards such as landslides, flash floods, lightning strikes, and strong winds or tornadoes.
In addition to heavy rainfall, Professor Karnawati also highlighted the danger of lightning strikes during rain.
She advised avoiding swimming pools and trees, as well as standing near electric poles, towers, or open areas.
“When outdoors, it is recommended to keep your feet close together or lift one foot to minimize the risk of electric shock and avoid using metal communication devices,” she said.
Professor Karnawati also drew attention to the threat of flash floods, noting that early signs include sudden changes in river water color and the presence of debris, such as twigs or logs.
“If normally clear water suddenly turns murky and flows rapidly, that sign must be taken seriously by immediately moving away and seeking higher ground,” she warned.
The Head of the Sub-Directorate for Integration and Monitoring Data Processing at the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Linda Lestari, reported that as of Oct. 15, 2025, a total of 2,590 disaster events had been recorded across Indonesia.
“If we imagine, it means almost ten disaster reports per day, which clearly requires urgent attention,” said Lestari.
She cited Bantul Regency, particularly the Imogiri and Dlingo Districts, as areas with high potential for flash flooding.
Meanwhile, Morotai Island in North Maluku is almost entirely at risk of earthquakes and tsunamis, especially in coastal areas.
Lestari stressed the importance of students and DPLs understanding potential risks in their respective Community Service Program (KKN-PPM) locations.
“Please monitor disaster data and warnings through the InaRISK website or application,” she emphasized.
Lestari further encouraged KKN-PPM participants to design community service programs focusing on enhancing community resilience, such as by creating disaster risk maps, installing signs and evacuation routes, providing early warning tools, and strengthening disaster management infrastructure.
The UGM Vice-Rector for Student Affairs, Community Service, and Alumni, Dr. Arie Sujito, stated that UGM students and DPLs are expected to foster a culture of risk awareness and disaster mitigation from an early stage.
“We usually start talking about risk only after a disaster occurs. From now on, we must build a strong mitigation system so that a sense of crisis becomes part of our habit and knowledge,” he said.
The Director of Community Service, Dr. Rustamaji, explained that the fourth KKN-PPM period in 2025 will involve 1,044 students from various faculties and schools under the theme ‘Food Sovereignty and Sustainable Environment.’
The students will be deployed to 10 provinces: 6 outside Java and 4 within Java, covering 24 regencies and 29 districts for 50 days, from Dec. 20, 2025, to Feb. 7, 2026.
“We need to ensure the students’ readiness regarding environmental conditions, preparedness, and mitigation in each location,” he emphasized.
Author: Hanifah
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna
Photographs: Donnie Trisfian and Freepik