El Niño-Induced Drought Reveals Years-Old Village Beneath Indonesia’s Dam
Falling water levels at the Karian Dam have exposed the remains of Somang village, which was submerged after the dam project was built.
The impact of El Niño and prolonged dry conditions in Indonesia has led to a remarkable sight in Banten province, where an old village submerged beneath a reservoir has re-emerged as water levels at the Karian Dam dropped significantly.
The remains of Somang village, including old houses, a mosque and other structures, have become visible again as the reservoir recedes. The village was submerged as part of the Karian Dam project, which began in 2015 and became operational in 2023. Before the dam was constructed, residents lived in the area but were relocated to other places as the project progressed.
The resurfacing of the village is being seen as a visible reminder of the severity of the ongoing dry spell in parts of Indonesia.
El Niño occurs when waters in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean become warmer than normal, influencing weather patterns across several parts of the world. In Indonesia, one of its major impacts can be reduced rainfall and prolonged dry conditions.
According to Indonesia’s meteorological agency BMKG, several parts of the country were expected to receive below-normal rainfall in 2026. In June, the agency estimated that around 64.5% of Indonesia could experience below-normal rainfall, while approximately 57.2% of the country could face a longer-than-normal dry season.
Rainfall shortages continued into July. During the first part of the month, nearly 72% of Indonesia reportedly received below-normal rainfall, with some areas experiencing weeks without significant rain.
The prolonged dry spell has reduced moisture in the soil and lowered water levels in rivers, ponds and reservoirs. BMKG said in late July that El Niño had become active and could strengthen further, prompting preparations for worsening drought conditions.
August is considered a particularly important month for the drought situation, with around 48.84% of the country expected to experience peak dry conditions. Reduced rainfall could create additional challenges for agriculture, drinking water supplies and everyday needs, while also increasing the risk of forest and land fires.
The Karian Dam is an important water infrastructure project serving the wider Greater Jakarta region. However, the prolonged lack of rainfall has caused its reservoir level to fall, revealing portions of Somang village that had remained underwater for years.
The sight of the submerged village emerging from the reservoir has offered a striking visual indication of how changing rainfall patterns and prolonged drought are affecting Indonesia.