Flood-Prone Areas in Indonesia: Top Six in the List

Flooding is a big challenge for Indonesia. Each year, about a thousand floods occur in this country. This natural disaster has also become more severe and intense over the last five years. Moreover, the number of flood-prone areas in Indonesia continues to increase each year. 

Consequently, the country has experienced significant economic losses due to this hazard. Furthermore, flooding in Indonesia has caused high numbers of casualties and fatalities. Thus, the Indonesian government must have effective and efficient strategies to reduce flood risks.

Flood-Prone Areas in Indonesia

Many people may think that the most flood-prone area in Indonesia is Jakarta. However, flooding in Indonesia’s capital city is not as bad as people think. It looks severe and bad because the media put it in the spotlight. Moreover, economic loss risks caused by Jakarta flooding are significant.

According to reports, other provinces in Indonesia experience more floods than Jakarta. This fact indicates they are more vulnerable to floods. What are these regions?

1. West Java

In 2024, Jawa Barat was the second most flooded province in Indonesia after Sumatra Utara. That year, 145 floods inundated this province. Moreover, in the first half of 2025, this province experienced 127 floods, the highest in the country.

Recently, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics agency stated that 3 regencies in West Java have high flood risks at the end of 2025 to early 2026. They are Cirebon, Majalengka, and Sukabumi. Moreover, others, including Bandung and Bekasi, are moderately prone to flooding. 

Flooding in those regencies can be extremely damaging because the inundation can reach 3.5 m. Floods in West Java are typically due to poor drainage systems and urbanization, which leads to the loss of water-absorbing areas.

2. East Java

The flood risk in East Java has increased significantly recently. In 2024, it was not one of the top ten Indonesia’s most flood-prone areas. However, in the first half of 2025, the number of flood occurrences in this province escalated to 124.

For the 2025-2026 rainy season, about 26 regencies in East Java are moderately prone to inundation. Some of these regencies are Malang, Jember, and Banyuwangi. Flood risks in East Java increase because of river sedimentation, heavy rains, and poor drainage systems.

3. Central Java

Over 90 floods have hit Central Java from January to July 2025. Moreover, from the end of 2025 to February 2025, many regions in this province have a moderate flood risk. 

One of them is Semarang, its capital city. This flood-prone location has just been hit by a flood that lasted for more than a week. Flooding in Semarang is an annual weather event. It occurs because of severe land subsidence, poor drainage systems, and urban development.

4. South and North Sulawesi 

South and North Sulawesi are flood-prone areas in Indonesia. Eight regencies in both provinces are highly vulnerable to floods. Moreover, many others have moderate flood risks. These risks arise due to extreme weather, high tides, and land-use changes.

5. Kalimantan Barat

In 2024, Kalimantan Barat was hit by 65 floods. Moreover, the Metrology, Climatology, and Geology agency predicts that this province will experience another series of flooding at the end of 2025. 

Kalimantan Barat’s regencies with high flood risks are Ketapang, Bengkayang, Landak, and Sanggau. Meanwhile, many other regencies are moderately prone to floods. Flooding in Kalimantan Barat is triggered by peatland degradation and deforestation.

6. Bali

Recently, several regions in Bali were hit by floods. This flood was rather severe because it submerged some areas at 3 m, killed at least 18 people, and damaged many homes. The risk of flooding in Bali remains moderately high if there is torrential rain.

Moreover, this island is also at risk of tidal flooding. Many beaches in Bali experience severe erosion. Consequently, high tides and sea level rise may overflow its low-lying coastal areas.

Strategies to Reduce Flood Risks

The Indonesian government has created a flood-risk map for the next three months. However, this measure is not enough to reduce flood risk. The government must also take other disaster-management actions, including maintaining the drainage system and establishing an early warning system.

A flood early warning system allows the government to communicate an alarming river water level or flood warnings to communities. Therefore, people can respond to this warning accordingly. Thus, they can avoid hazardous areas, cancel outdoor activities, and remain safe.

To ensure everyone receives the warning, the Indonesian government can disseminate the flood warning using cell broadcast technology. This equipment can broadcast a flood alert to geotargeted recipients. Moreover, it works efficiently and effectively. Thus, it can quickly send the alert to all people.