Beware of the Risk of Dehydration to Heatstroke When Hot Weather Hits Jakarta

JAKARTA - The DKI Jakarta Health Office (Dinkes) reminds the public to be aware of the health impacts due to the hot weather that has been felt in the last few days. Exposure to high temperatures for a long time has the potential to trigger various health disorders, ranging from dehydration to heatstroke.

The Head of the DKI Jakarta Health Office, Ani Ruspitawati, said hot weather can have a direct impact on the body's condition, especially if a person does not maintain fluid intake or remains active outdoors.

"In general, hot weather can cause fluid deficiency, fatigue, to heatstroke. Exposure to high heat can trigger dizziness, muscle cramps, cardiovascular disorders, breathing, and skin irritation can also occur," Ani told reporters, Monday, March 16.

Ani explained that not all groups of people have the same level of risk. Some groups are considered more vulnerable to health problems when the air temperature rises.

"Vulnerable groups are certainly field workers, children, pregnant women, and the elderly, who are at the highest risk of experiencing health impacts due to extreme hot weather," he said.

According to Ani, simple preventive measures can be taken by the public to reduce the risk. One of them is to ensure that the body remains hydrated and avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the day.

"Anticipation, consume a lot of water, use light or loose clothing, and use a hat or umbrella as much as possible when going out. Limit heavy physical activity outdoors during the day. Indoors use air conditioning or fans to keep the room temperature," he explained.

In addition, the public is also asked to pay attention to patterns of consumption of food and beverages that have the potential to exacerbate dehydration. He also emphasized the importance of additional protection for vulnerable groups who must be active outdoors.

Meanwhile, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) predicts that the 2026 dry season has the potential to come earlier in a number of regions of Indonesia. A number of areas have even begun to show signs of seasonal change with brighter weather conditions and the air temperature feels warmer.

The Head of the BMKG Weather Prediction and Early Warning Working Team, Ida Pramuwardani, said that some parts of Indonesia are expected to gradually enter the dry season starting in April.

Ida explained that at this time the dry season has even begun to be felt in several areas of Java Island. This condition makes the weather pattern more dominated by a clear sky to thick clouds. BMKG also recorded the maximum air temperature in the Jakarta area reached a fairly high figure.

"In recent days, the maximum air temperature measured in the Jakarta area reached 35.4 degrees Celsius, precisely in the East Jakarta area," said Ida.

According to him, the temperature that feels hotter than usual is influenced by a number of meteorological factors. One of them is the reduced cloud cover so that solar radiation can directly reach the earth's surface more optimally.

"The air temperature that feels warmer than usual is generally influenced by several meteorological factors, such as reduced cloud cover which allows solar radiation to be received by the surface more optimally, as well as relatively weak wind speeds so that air circulation does not take place effectively," he explained.