January 19, 2026 | 01:38 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The heavy rain that has poured over Jakarta and its surrounding areas over the past week has had a positive impact on reducing air pollution. Due to the frequent rainfall, the sky, which is usually gray from vehicle emissions, now appears clearer, although it is often covered by clouds.
Researcher from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Muhammad Reza Cordova, mentioned that the reduction of pollution is due to the natural cleansing function of rain. "Microplastics in the air tend to decrease momentarily because they are washed away by the rain," Reza told Tempo on Monday, January 19, 2026.
However, Reza made an exception for the first rain after a long dry season. He says that the first rain after a dry spell will spread more microplastics and pollutants into the air. This is because microplastics accumulate in the air during the dry season and can potentially enter the lungs of the public when they fall to the ground.
It's a different story if it rains more than twice. The first rain brings pollution into the lungs, but the second rain cleans the air because the pollutants have been washed away. "Repeated rain on the following days can reduce microplastics and pollutants in the air because the atmosphere has been thoroughly cleansed," Reza said.
In the context of Jakarta, the heavy rainfall that occurred continuously in January 2026 effectively reduced the concentration of microplastics in the air for a temporary period because these microscopic particles are forced down to the ground, canals, and rivers along with the flow of water.
Reza also referred to several scientific publications, one of which highlighted the relationship between the duration of rainless days and the increase in microplastics.
The research confirmed that the longer the dry spell, the higher the accumulation of pollutants in the air. This means that heavy rain after a long dry season will carry the heaviest pollution load. Conversely, rain on the third, fourth, and subsequent days tends to bring cleaner rainwater, as the stock of pollutants in the atmosphere has diminished.
Read: BMKG Warns of Heavy Rain Across West Java This Week
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
BMKG Warns of Heavy Rain Across West Java This Week
6 jam lalu
BMKG predicts that atmospheric dynamics will continue to support increased potential for rainfall in parts of West Java from January 19 to 25, 2026.
Sunday Floods in Jakarta: Pluit Reservoir Reaches Danger Status
1 hari lalu
Flooding hit Jakarta on Sunday morning, January 18, 2026, after widespread heavy rain in the northern part of the city.
Floods Hit 16 Neighborhood Units and 10 Roads in Jakarta
1 hari lalu
Heavy rains that poured down on Jakarta, Indonesia, on Sunday, January 18, 2026, caused flooding in several areas.
BMKG Weather Forecast: Rain Likely Across Greater Jakarta
1 hari lalu
According to the BMKG, rainy weather is likely to persist throughout today.
BMKG Warns of Severe Weather in Greater Jakarta Today
2 hari lalu
Just like the weather that has been accompanying nearly the entire week, rain is predicted to occur throughout the Greater Jakarta area today.
BMKG: Greater Jakarta to Experience Rain, Potential Thunderstorms Today
3 hari lalu
The Greater Jakarta area has experienced thick clouds and widespread rain over the past few days. Here's BMKG's weather forecast for today.
Today's Top 3 News: Fact Check: AI Video Fakes Israeli Flag at Surabaya Protest
3 hari lalu
Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today.
Heavy Rain Forecast to Continue for Three Days in Southern Indonesia
4 hari lalu
Widespread heavy rain has become the main characteristic of extreme weather in Indonesia in recent times.
Today's Top 3 News: Why Has Rain Persisted in Greater Jakarta for the Past Two Days?
5 hari lalu
Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today.
Yogyakarta Faces Risk of Extreme Weather During Isra Miraj Holiday
5 hari lalu
The long weekend holiday on January 15-19, 2026, is characterized by the potential increase in rainfall and high waves in Yogyakarta's south coast.
