The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) predicts that the peak of the rainy season in western Indonesia will occur between November and December 2025. Based on BMKG’s analysis, rainfall intensity ranging from high to very high, exceeding 150 millimeters per ten-day period, is expected across several regions in Indonesia. BMKG also reported 45 extreme weather events in recent weeks, dominated by heavy rain and strong winds, which triggered floods and landslides in various areas.
Professor Wahyu Wilopo, a lecturer from the Department of Geological Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FT UGM), explained that global climate change has triggered various negative environmental impacts, including an increase in hydrometeorological disasters such as floods and landslides.
These disasters, he said, are among the most frequent in Indonesia, often resulting from excessive rainfall.
“This situation is worsened by periods of extremely high rainfall intensity,” said Professor Wilopo on Wednesday (Nov. 5).
According to Professor Wilopo, areas most prone to flooding are those located near rivers or drainage channels, as well as low-lying regions below sea level. These include cities such as Jakarta, Semarang, Surabaya, Makassar, Medan, and Palembang.
Meanwhile, landslide-prone areas are typically mountainous regions with moderate to steep slopes, composed of thick, weathered soil or rock material, and subject to heavy loads on top of the slopes, such as in mountainous areas across Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and other regions.
“In principle, areas prone to landslides are usually safe from floods, while flood-prone areas are generally safe from landslides,” he explained.
Professor Wilopo added that early warning signs of such disasters can often be observed in the surrounding environment. Cracks in the soil or building structures, tilting poles or trees, and falling soil or rocks along slopes can signal an impending landslide.
Meanwhile, floods typically begin with continuous heavy rain, rising river levels, and pooling water on roads or around homes.
Professor Wilopo emphasized the importance of conducting community patrols, particularly after heavy rainfall, to monitor signs of potential floods or landslides and to take appropriate mitigation measures.
For Professor Wilopo, effective disaster mitigation requires coordinated collaboration among multiple parties, including the government, academics, communities, and the media. One effective preventive approach, he noted, is weather modification technology.
“One of the main causes of floods and landslides is extremely high rainfall. Therefore, weather modification can be an effective measure to reduce their occurrence,” the expert said.
Professor Wilopo further stated that global climate change is inevitable and must be faced with adaptation strategies to minimize its impacts, including floods and landslides. Avoiding areas prone to such disasters (whether temporarily or permanently) remains one of the most practical solutions.
“Disasters are not solely the government’s responsibility; it is our collective duty to prevent them and reduce their impacts,” he concluded.
Author: Jesi
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Illustration: kompas.id