Floods Remain Indonesia’s Biggest Threat in 2025 as La niña Intensifies Hydrometeorological Disasters
Indonesia, a nation no stranger to natural disasters, faced a relentless wave of hydrometeorological catastrophes in 2024, with floods and landslides dominating the landscape. According to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), the archipelago recorded 2,107 disaster incidents last year, claiming 547 lives, displacing over 6.3 million people, and destroying approximately 60,000 homes.
While this figure represents a meaningful drop from the 5,400 incidents reported in 2023, the decline is attributed to a revised classification system. The BNPB now defines a disaster as an event resulting in at least one casualty, impacting 50 people, or damaging five buildings. This shift underscores the severity of the disasters that did meet the criteria.
The Dominance of Floods and Extreme Weather
Table of Contents
Floods were the most frequent disaster in 2024, accounting for 1,088 incidents, or more then half of all recorded events. Extreme weather events followed closely, with 455 incidents. These figures highlight the growing threat of hydrometeorological hazards, which include floods, landslides, and extreme weather patterns.
The shift from El Niño to La Niña played a pivotal role in shaping Indonesia’s disaster landscape last year. While El Niño brought a prolonged dry season and widespread forest fires in 2023, La Niña ushered in wetter and colder conditions in 2024. BNPB spokesperson Abdul Muhari explained, “This caused rainfall to be higher than average, making floods and other extreme weather events the most frequent disasters last year.”
A Look at the Data
The table below summarizes key disaster statistics for 2024:
| Disaster Type | Number of Incidents | Lives Lost | Displaced Persons | Homes Destroyed |
|————————–|————————–|—————-|————————|———————-|
| Floods | 1,088 | 547 | 6.3 million | 60,000 |
| Extreme Weather Events | 455 | - | – | – |
The road Ahead
As Indonesia enters 2025, the BNPB warns that the trend of hydrometeorological disasters is highly likely to persist. La Niña’s influence is expected to continue, bringing higher-than-average rainfall and increasing the risk of floods and landslides. This forecast underscores the urgent need for robust disaster preparedness and mitigation strategies.
For more insights into Indonesia’s disaster monitoring efforts, explore the impact Monitoring of Hydrometeorological Hazards reports, which provide detailed analyses of these recurring challenges.
Indonesia’s resilience will be tested once again as it navigates the dual challenges of climate variability and disaster management. The lessons learned from 2024 must inform future strategies to protect lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure in the face of an increasingly unpredictable climate.
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Indonesia’s vulnerability to natural disasters, particularly hydrometeorological events like floods and landslides, has been a recurring challenge. Wiht the intensification of La Niña in 2024, the archipelago faced a surge in extreme weather events, leading to significant loss of life and property. To better understand the implications of these disasters and what lies ahead in 2025, we sat down with Dr. Anisa Rahmawati, a climate scientist and disaster risk reduction specialist, to discuss the current trends, the role of La Niña, and strategies for mitigating future risks.
The Growing threat of Hydrometeorological Disasters
Senior Editor: Dr. Rahmawati, thank you for joining us. Let’s start with the big picture.Indonesia experienced over 2,000 disaster incidents in 2024, with floods accounting for more than half.Why are floods such a persistent threat in the region?
Dr. Rahmawati: Thank you for having me. Floods are indeed Indonesia’s most frequent and devastating disaster, and this is largely due to the country’s geographical and climatic conditions. Indonesia is an archipelago with a tropical climate, which means it experiences heavy rainfall, especially during the monsoon season. when you combine this with factors like deforestation,poor urban planning,and inadequate drainage systems,the risk of flooding increases significantly. Additionally, the shift from El Niño to La Niña in 2024 brought even more rainfall, exacerbating the situation.
Senior Editor: Speaking of La niña, how does this climate phenomenon influence Indonesia’s disaster landscape?
Dr. Rahmawati: La Niña is characterized by cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, which leads to increased rainfall in many parts of Indonesia. In 2024, this resulted in prolonged wet seasons and higher-than-average precipitation. While El Niño typically brings drier conditions and forest fires, La Niña’s wetter climate amplifies the risk of floods and landslides. This shift is a key reason why hydrometeorological disasters dominated last year.
Analyzing the Data: What the Numbers Reveal
Senior Editor: the data from 2024 shows that floods caused 547 deaths and displaced over 6.3 million people. How does this compare to previous years, and what does it tell us about the severity of these events?
Dr. Rahmawati: While the number of disaster incidents dropped compared to 2023,the impact remains severe.The revised classification system used by the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) means that only the most significant events are recorded, which underscores the gravity of the disasters that did occur. The high number of displaced persons and destroyed homes highlights the widespread disruption caused by these floods. It’s also significant to note that many of these incidents occurred in densely populated areas, where infrastructure is often ill-equipped to handle such events.
Preparing for the Future: Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies
Senior Editor: Looking ahead to 2025, the BNPB has warned that La Niña’s influence is likely to continue. what steps can Indonesia take to better prepare for and mitigate these risks?
Dr. rahmawati: Disaster preparedness and mitigation must be multi-faceted. First, there needs to be a stronger focus on early warning systems. Communities should have access to timely and accurate facts about impending disasters, so they can evacuate or take protective measures. Second, infrastructure improvements are crucial. This includes building better drainage systems, reinforcing riverbanks, and implementing urban planning policies that account for flood risks. Third, we need to address the root causes of these disasters, such as deforestation and land degradation, which exacerbate flooding and landslides.
Senior Editor: What role can communities play in reducing their vulnerability to these disasters?
dr. Rahmawati: Community involvement is essential. Local knowledge and practices can complement scientific approaches to disaster management. For example, communities can participate in reforestation efforts, maintain natural water retention areas, and develop community-based early warning systems. Education and awareness campaigns are also vital to ensure that people understand the risks and know how to respond when disasters strike.
Final Thoughts: Building Resilience in the Face of Climate Change
Senior Editor: As we wrap up, what message would you like to leave our readers with regarding Indonesia’s disaster resilience?
Dr. Rahmawati: Indonesia’s resilience will be tested in the coming years as climate change continues to intensify hydrometeorological hazards. However, with the right strategies and collective action, we can reduce the impact of these disasters. It’s crucial for goverment agencies,communities,and international partners to work together to build a more resilient Indonesia. The lessons learned from 2024 must inform our approach to disaster management, ensuring that we protect lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure in the face of an increasingly unpredictable climate.
Senior Editor: Thank you,dr. Rahmawati,for your insights. It’s clear that while the challenges are significant, there are also opportunities to make meaningful progress in disaster preparedness and mitigation.
Dr. Rahmawati: Thank you for the prospect to discuss this critical issue. I hope this conversation inspires action and collaboration to address Indonesia’s disaster risks.
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