Flood and Landslide Threats Still Looming, DIY Extends Emergency Alert Until March 2026

Illustration. A number of children playing in a flood puddle in the Klitren Lor village, Gondokusuman, DI Yogyakarta. ANTARA FOTO/Hendra Nurdiyansyah

YOGYAKARTA - The Yogyakarta Special Region (DIY) government has extended the emergency alert status for hydrometeorological disasters until March 2026 as a precautionary measure against the potential for extreme weather at the peak of the rainy season.

This policy is contained in the Decision of the Governor of DIY regarding the Determination of the Extension of the Emergency Alert Status for Hydro-meteorological Disaster.

The Head of the BPBD DIY Agustinus Ruruh Haryata said the extension of the alert status was carried out by considering the prediction of the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) which said that the peak of rainfall occurred in January to February.

"According to the BMKG's prediction, the peak rainfall this year will be in January-February," said Ruruh in Yogyakarta, Antara, Monday, January 12.

Based on the Decree of the Governor of DIY Number 432 of 2025, the emergency standby status is valid from December 20 to March 19. This status includes the potential for flooding, landslides, and extreme weather in all DIY areas.

According to Ruruh, this policy was taken as a proactive step so that local governments and the community are more prepared to face the threat of hydrometeorological disasters. He emphasized that preparedness is more important than having to act hastily when disasters occur.

"This is a proactive step in how we deal with hydrometeorological disasters. So, it's better to be prepared than to be stammered," he said.

BPBD DIY also appeals to the public to increase vigilance by identifying potential disaster risks in their respective environments, both independently and together. Ruruh said that potential dangers often arise from tall and fragile trees that escape attention, as well as drainage channels that do not function optimally during heavy rain.

"The tall and fragile trees were immediately pruned. If it is fragile, it is cut, because several times the incident of a tree falling actually causes casualties," he said.

In addition, residents living in areas with uneven land contours are asked to be aware of the emergence of land cracks. If you find these signs, the public is urged to immediately report them to officials or disaster volunteers.

"If there are cracks, please inform your friends in the field, both volunteers from the Tangguh Bencana Sub-district and through the information channels we have, so that assessments can be carried out immediately," said Ruruh.

He added that the BPBD DIY continues to coordinate with the BPBD of regencies and cities and monitor weather developments and disaster events through the Disaster Management Operations Control Center (Pusdalops).

"If later we need support from us in the province, we will send TRC friends down," he said.

During January, a number of disaster incidents have been recorded in DIY, especially in Gunungkidul Regency, ranging from tornadoes to landslides in the Girikarto area, Panggang District.

The head of the DIY Climatology Station, Reni Kraningtyas, said that the rainfall in DIY in January is predicted to range from 201 to more than 500 millimeters per month with medium to very high criteria, as well as normal to above normal rainfall.

In February, rainfall is estimated to be in the range of 201 to 500 millimeters per month with medium to high criteria and normal rainfall characteristics. Meanwhile, in March, rainfall is predicted to range from 201 to 400 millimeters per month with medium to high criteria, and normal to normal rainfall characteristics.

Reni appealed to local governments and the public to be more prepared and anticipatory of the impact of the rainy season, especially in flood-prone areas, landslides, and strong winds.

"Mitigation steps need to be taken, such as cleaning water channels, pruning tree branches, and ensuring the strength of billboards in public spaces," he said.