Climate Pressure on Indonesia: Heat, Disease, and Disaster

Indonesia’s Climate Wake-Up Call: Record Heat, Rising Disease, and a Struggling Economy

In October 2024, Indonesia recorded its highest daily temperature of 38.4°C (101.1°F), exemplifying the increasing frequency of extreme heat events. Throughout 2023-2024, the nation experienced 6,827 climate-related disasters, affecting over 13 million people. These events included severe floods and droughts, underscoring the escalating impact of climate change.

Recently, on March 4, 2025, torrential rains caused severe flooding in Jakarta, Indonesia, leading to the evacuation of thousands of residents. The floods submerged over 1,000 houses and numerous vehicles, with water levels reaching up to 3 meters in certain areas. In Bekasi, a hospital was inundated, necessitating the evacuation of patients due to flooded wards and power outages. Rescue operations involved navigating through deep waters to assist those trapped. This event is considered one of the most severe since 2020, when floods resulted in 60 fatalities following record rainfall.

Changes in precipitation and temperature can compromise water quality, leading to higher incidences of diarrhoea and cholera. In Maluku, reduced rainfall and temperature fluctuations have been associated with a 96% increase in pneumonia cases and a 19% rise in diarrhea cases.

The agricultural sector, particularly cocoa farming, has been severely affected by climate change. Unpredictable weather patterns and rising temperatures have led to reduced yields and increased pest infestations. In 2024, cocoa prices nearly tripled, reaching about US$12,000 per ton. Climate change-related impacts on Indonesia’s agricultural sector, including cocoa farming, could potentially cost the country between 2.5% and 7% of its GDP. This has led to income losses for farmers, higher costs for consumers and businesses, and potential shifts to alternative crops. The crisis also threatens food security, increases deforestation risks, and disrupts export markets, highlighting the urgent need for climate adaptation policies and sustainable farming support to protect livelihoods and economic stability.

Furthermore, Indonesia’s tropical glaciers, located in Papua’s Jayawijaya mountains, are rapidly melting, shrinking from 2.4 square kilometers in 2000 to just 0.23 square kilometers in 2021. Scientists warn that due to rising global temperatures and El Niño effects, these “Eternity Glaciers” could vanish entirely by 2026. Their loss further disrupts water and food security.

Read more about health risks here.

Read more about heat stress here.

Read more about extreme weather here.