Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — Forest and land fires (karhutla), alongside floods, dominated natural disaster occurrences across several regions of Indonesia in early October 2026. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) confirmed the emergence of three new karhutla hotspots in Bangka Belitung, South Sulawesi, and Central Java, as well as a flood incident in North Sumatra.
A flood disaster struck South Nias Regency, North Sumatra, on Friday, October 2, 2026, driven by high rainfall intensity. The incident inundated 60 residential houses, health facilities, schools, and village halls in O’o’u and Maniamolo Districts, affecting 75 households before water levels gradually receded.
In the karhutla sector, a land fire covering 25 hectares swept through Bonto Lojong Sub-district, Bantaeng Regency, South Sulawesi, on Thursday night, October 1, 2026. Rapid Response Teams (TRC) from the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), together with personnel from the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (Polri), remain on high alert to extinguish smoldering hotspots.
Meanwhile, a forest and land fire in Central Bangka Regency, Bangka Belitung Islands, scorched approximately 10 hectares of land in the Perbakin area. In Purbalingga Regency, Central Java, hot weather triggered a fire across 2.5 hectares of sugarcane fields in Dawuhan Village before joint teams successfully brought it under control.
BNPB calls on local governments and the public to heighten vigilance during the seasonal transition (pancaroba) period in early October, which is prone to triggering extreme weather. Residents are urged to regularly clear drainage channels, trim tree branches susceptible to falling, and refrain from burning land to prevent follow-up disasters. (*)
