PU Minister will Form a Special Task Force to Anticipate Godzilla El Nino

Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo. (Photo: Theresia Agatha/VOI)

JAKARTA - Minister of Public Works (PU) Dody Hanggodo will form a special task force (satgas) to anticipate the El Nino phenomenon which is predicted to occur from July to September 2026.

This step was taken following warnings from various institutions that the upcoming El Nino is considered extreme or nicknamed El Nino Godzilla.

"I will form a special task force to face El Nino 2026-2027," said Dody during a media discussion session at the Ministry of PU's office, Jakarta, Friday, June 19.

According to him, the formation of the task force is necessary because the impact of drought not only threatens irrigation and rice fields, but also the Drinking Water Supply System (SPAM) and dams at various points.

"Those affected are not only irrigation problems and rice fields do not get water supply due to drought, but also at some point SPAM-SPAM we may also experience drought. Dams may also experience the same thing," he said.

Dody emphasized that the task force would involve cross-directorate generals, ranging from Water Resources (SDA), Cipta Karya to other directorates.

He admitted that the anticipation step had actually started since the beginning of the year. The Directorate of Water Resources, for example, has carried out an in-depth water drilling program at a number of points that have been known as drought-prone areas.

"At all points, not only in places that are notoriously dry, for example, NTT, but also other places," he said.

Dody highlighted that there are still many irrigation systems that rely on gravity flow without adequate irrigation networks.

As a result, he said, water often does not reach the rice fields that are in the farthest locations.

"Some of the places I visited were just drained and hoped that with the gravity system, the farthest fields could be irrigated. But that means it can be an hour, a day, it can also be days from the use of water to be very, very ineffective, efficient," he explained.

For this reason, Dody emphasized the importance of building tertiary irrigation as the most basic and effective solution.

"After all, we all have to remember that water is a raw material that will not be easily reproduced by nature. I ask that a tertiary irrigation network be developed, because I say that the tertiary is the easiest, lah," he said.

Citing the official website of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the peak of the 2026 dry season is predicted to occur in the period from July to September 2026.

From the time range, August is estimated to be the month with the most widespread affected areas.

BMKG reminded that all people need to increase their readiness to face the effects of the dry season which could be strengthened by the El Nino phenomenon.

Anticipation steps are needed to reduce the risk of losses in various sectors, ranging from food to public health.