BPBD Data Show Drought Affecting 529 Bali Households

Denpasar — — Drought conditions have been recorded in multiple parts of Bali, with the provincial disaster management agency (BPBD) reporting impacts on 529 households between 11 April and late August 2026 in three regencies, while national forecasters warn that unusually dry weather linked to a very strong El Niño could persist into October.

According to a report based on BPBD Bali data, drought has affected households in **Buleleng, Jembrana and Karangasem** during monitoring from 11 April to 28 August 2026, with impacts recorded in 14 villages and urban neighbourhoods across the three regencies.

Bali Post, citing BPBD figures, reported that by 28 August the drought had affected 529 households in these regencies, describing the situation as a widening impact of the 2026 dry season. Kabar Bali Satu, also using BPBD data, reported the same total of 529 affected households over the period 11 April–23 August.

BPBD identifies affected areas in Buleleng as Sinabun, Madenan and Menyali villages. In Jembrana, drought has been recorded in Pendem, Asahduren, Pergung, Bale Agung, Berangbang, Yeh Embang Kauh, Tukadaya and Manistutu. In Karangasem, Baturinggit, Tianyar Timur and Tianyar have been listed as impacted villages.

Key figures

• Monitoring period: 11 April–28 August 2026 (BPBD Bali)
• Affected households: 529 households across three regencies
• Recorded regencies: Buleleng, Jembrana and Karangasem
• Number of affected villages/kelurahan: 14

Local response and water supply

BPBD Bali has responded by distributing clean water to drought-affected communities in the three regencies. Kabar Bali Satu reports that BPBD has continued water deliveries to several locations, with distribution focused on the villages identified by the agency.

Earlier data cited by NusaBali show that by 11 August, BPBD had distributed about 305,000 litres of water to affected communities, including supplies to Buleleng, Jembrana and Karangasem. More recent national coverage indicates that by early September BPBD had expanded both the geographic scope and total volume of water distribution, though these later figures include one additional regency beyond the three covered in the August BPBD monitoring.

The available reports describe household-level impacts and the use of tanker-delivered water, but they do not detail specific interruptions to accommodation providers, major tourism sites or island-wide public water networks.

Implications for residents and visitors

For residents in the affected villages, BPBD’s data and media reports indicate that drought has reduced local water availability, prompting reliance on emergency deliveries of clean water. Authorities have also highlighted the increased risk of vegetation fires during the current dry season, which can add further pressure on local services.

For visitors and tourism businesses, the situation is currently reported as a **localised water-stress issue** rather than a province-wide crisis. There have been no official announcements of travel restrictions, closures of major tourist attractions or widespread disruption to hotel operations in Bali in connection with the drought in these three regencies.

Travellers planning to stay in or visit Buleleng, Jembrana or Karangasem should be aware of the ongoing dry conditions and may wish to confirm current water-supply arrangements with their accommodation providers or local authorities, especially in rural areas where BPBD has recorded impacts.

BMKG outlook for Bali’s dry season

The Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics (BMKG) links the broader dry conditions across Indonesia in mid-2026 to a **very strong El Niño**. BMKG’s analysis for late August and early September shows that more than 80 percent of Indonesia’s seasonal zones were in the dry season, including Bali.

BMKG climate bulletins indicate a high probability of monthly rainfall below 50 millimetres across Bali in September and October 2026, placing the island among regions expected to experience very low rainfall during this period. A regional bulletin from BMKG’s Bali office notes that for September 2026, rainfall in much of Bali is forecast in the low category, with below-normal conditions in several districts including parts of Jembrana, Buleleng and Karangasem.

BMKG expects the areas with a high chance of rainfall below 50 millimetres to gradually shrink in November, with the dry-season influence easing in many regions toward the end of 2026 and into early 2027.

Context

Local media began highlighting BPBD Bali’s drought data in mid-August, as the agency’s monitoring showed growing impacts on rural communities in the north and west of the island. By late August, coverage emphasised that the number of affected households had reached 529 in Buleleng, Jembrana and Karangasem, with water deliveries under way to support residents.

BMKG’s national assessments over the same period have warned of continued dry-season pressure, with El Niño-driven anomalies and an associated increase in drought risk across large parts of Indonesia, including Bali.

Sources

• Bali Post
• Kabar Bali Satu
• NusaBali
• BMKG National Climate Analysis – Dasarian III August 2026
• Merdeka
• Detik Bali
• Jawawa