Jakarta. Indonesia’s meteorological agency warned that the country’s ongoing heatwave, with temperatures soaring to as high as 37.6 degrees Celsius, is expected to persist until the end of October or early November 2025.

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) said the extreme heat is driven by a combination of the sun’s motion south of the equator and the Australian Monsoon, which brings dry, warm air that suppresses cloud formation and allows more solar radiation to reach the Earth’s surface.

“This position causes central and southern parts of Indonesia --such as Java, Nusa Tenggara, Kalimantan, and Papua-- to receive more intense sunlight, making the weather feel significantly hotter,” said BMKG Deputy for Meteorology Guswanto on Thursday.

According to BMKG’s latest observations, maximum temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius have been recorded across much of the country. The highest readings over the past week came from Majalengka in West Java and Boven Digoel in Papua, both hitting 37.6 degrees Celsius. Other hotspots included Kupang in East Nusa Tenggara and Kapuas Hulu in West Kalimantan, where temperatures reached 36.8 degrees Celsius.

BMKG’s Director of Public Meteorology Andri Ramdhani said persistent dry air and minimal cloud cover are key contributors to the intense heat.

“The consistency of high temperatures across many regions indicates the dominance of dry air masses and reduced cloud cover,” he said.

Despite the ongoing hot spell, BMKG said rain showers could still occur, particularly in parts of Sumatra, Kalimantan, Java, and Papua, due to convective activity in the late afternoon and evening.

The agency urged the public to remain vigilant against the health impacts of the heat, including dehydration and fatigue from direct sun exposure.

“People are advised to limit outdoor activities during midday and stay hydrated,” Guswanto said, adding that sudden weather changes such as rain accompanied by lightning and strong winds could also occur in some areas.