Indonesia Tackles Drought in 1,229 Areas as El Nino Worsens

JAKARTA — Indonesia’s Ministry of Public Works is now fighting drought conditions in 1,229 locations across the country, according to official data released on August 21, 2026. The move comes as a strong El Nino weather pattern continues to dry up water sources, hitting farms and rural communities hardest. The ministry is focusing on emergency water supplies, including drilling new wells and sending water trucks to the most affected zones. Officials say the priority is to keep drinking water flowing and protect crops from total failure. El Nino, a natural climate cycle that warms ocean temperatures in the Pacific, often triggers severe dry spells in Southeast Asia. This year’s event is classified as "strong," which means rainfall in parts of Indonesia could stay below normal for months. Local governments are coordinating with the central ministry to map out which villages need help first. So far, no national state of emergency has been declared, but the ministry warns that the number of drought-hit areas may rise if rains do not arrive by early September. Residents in affected regions have reported shrinking rivers and cracked rice paddies. The ministry has urged people to use water sparingly while relief efforts continue.