Indonesia strengthens El Niño preparedness as government monitors Volcanic Disruptions
Indonesia is stepping up preparations for the potential impacts of El Niño while closely monitoring volcanic eruptions that are disrupting communities, economic activity, aviation and logistics across parts of the archipelago.
JAKARTA, Indonesia — The Indonesian government is strengthening national preparedness for the potential impacts of El Niño while intensifying monitoring of volcanic eruptions that are disrupting communities, economic activity and logistics across parts of the country.
The measures were discussed during a limited cabinet meeting led by President Prabowo Subianto at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta as Indonesia faces the combined challenges of increasingly dry conditions and heightened volcanic activity.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said the government had reviewed preparations for El Niño and assistance programmes designed to ensure that communities continue receiving essential support.
One of the key measures under discussion was food assistance, particularly rice aid. The government has been distributing 30 kilogrammes of rice assistance up to September, with President Prabowo directing that the programme continue through October, November and December.
The government is also closely monitoring the economic consequences of volcanic eruptions in affected regions, particularly as disruptions to daily life begin to affect local economic activity.
Airlangga said areas directly affected by disasters could experience economic contraction, with the government continuing to assess which programmes and sectors have been impacted across the affected provinces.
Indonesia is currently monitoring the consequences of eruptions from several volcanoes, with authorities particularly concerned about the reduction in normal community activity in affected areas.
The disruption is also creating wider challenges for the country's logistics network, particularly aviation, which plays an important role in both passenger movement and cargo transportation.
Recent volcanic activity has highlighted the scale of the challenge, with volcanic ash disrupting airport operations and affecting passenger travel and flight schedules in several parts of Indonesia.
The government has said it will continue monitoring how long aviation restrictions and other operational limitations may be required, as authorities balance public safety with the need to restore economic and logistical activity.
President Prabowo has also stressed the importance of national preparedness, noting Indonesia's position along the Pacific Ring of Fire and the need for the country to remain ready to respond to natural disasters at any time.
The latest discussions come as Indonesia prepares for potentially severe El Niño conditions. Drier and longer dry seasons could affect many parts of the country, increasing risks to water supplies, agriculture and forests while raising the threat of land and forest fires.
With climate risks and geological hazards occurring simultaneously, the government's response is increasingly focused on protecting communities while maintaining food supplies, economic activity and the movement of essential goods.
The developments underline the scale of Indonesia's disaster management challenge as the country navigates the combined pressures of El Niño, forest fire risks, volcanic activity and disruptions to critical infrastructure.
