Rain has returned to parts of Sumatra and Kalimantan, giving residents a welcome break after dry, smoky weeks. Forecasts point to a gradual, uneven start to the wet season, while regional outlooks keep fire and haze risks in view.
The ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) says more showers late in October could help lower hotspot levels and haze across Southeast Asia. The Straits Times also reported that strong El Niño conditions had worsened fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan this year.
BMKG's South Sumatra station expects the season to set in during November; some fire-prone areas could see the onset in October. The spread means showers in one place do not signal a provincewide seasonal shift.
The Straits Times reported that residents shared celebratory videos of a downpour in Palembang on Oct. 24. It also reported rain in parts of Central Kalimantan on Oct. 15 and 16 after forecasters flagged a chance of rain at a fire-response meeting. The outlet said rain continued in Palembang through Oct. 26, including lighter rain that morning.
The Straits Times reported that some recent showers followed cloud-seeding work and that the method requires suitable cloud conditions.
Timing also differs across Kalimantan. The Straits Times reported that the rainy season was forecast to start in western and central East Kalimantan in late October, with most other areas expected by mid-November.
The rainfall comes amid ongoing fire response in South Sumatra, which EconoTimes covered in its report on rising hotspots and provincial efforts. Rain is forecast in Palangka Raya from Oct. 27-30, BMKG's station there said.
