Severe floods caused widespread damage in Indonesia. Sustained heavy rainfall caused heavy flooding across several parts of Indonesia. As of 22 May 2026, approximately 3,300 households were affected after heavy rains on 19 May 2026 triggered floods in many areas of Pasuruan Regency and Pasuruan City in East Java Province. Later, in Bandung Regency, West Java province, flooding on 24 May 2026 caused by the overflowing of the Citarum River, submerged several houses and affected communities across the regency.

Source: AHA Centre. (2026, May 25). ASEAN Weekly Disaster Update Week 21: 18-24 May 2026; Reuters. (2026, May 26). Flooding due to heavy rain in Bandung Regency, West Java Province, Indonesia.

Drought hit the Philippines amid forecast of rainy season. As of 24 May 2026, Metro Manila and other 25 provinces, mostly in Luzon, in the Philippines experienced drought conditions as the warm and dry season neared its ended. Meanwhile, the onset of rainy season was forecast. It is also expected to coincide with  El Niño, which has more than a 90-percent chance of developing the June-July-August 2026 and may persist through early 2027.

Source: ABS-CBN News. (2026, May 26), Drought hits Metro Manila, 25 provinces in May-PAGASA.

Monsoon rains was expected to trigger floods in Thailand. On 23 May 2026, the Thai Meteorological Department warned of heavy rainfalls across the countries due to the moderate south-westerly monsoon prevailing over the upper Andaman Sea and Thailand, combined with the southerly and south-easterly winds bringing moisture from the South China Sea over upper Thailand. People were advised to remain cautious of flash floods and forest run-off brought by torrential rainfalls.

Source: The Nation. (2026, May 23), Heavy rain forecast across Thailand as monsoon brings flood risk.

Indonesia’s Rice Reserves Reach Record High Ahead of Prolonged Dry Season. According to the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Indonesia’s rice reserves have reached a record 5.37 million tonnes, reinforcing national food security ahead of a prolonged dry season expected to peak in August 2026. The state logistics agency Bulog had procured 2.8 million tonnes of rice by May 18, 2026, equivalent to around 70 percent of its 2026 procurement target. To stabilise rice supplies and prices, the government has strengthened reserve management through Presidential Instruction No. 4 of 2026, which mandates Bulog to procure 4 million tonnes of rice annually through 2029 at a fixed purchase price for harvested dry paddy. Farm-gate paddy prices currently remain slightly above the government benchmark. Moreover, Indonesia’s rice production rose 13.29 percent year-on-year to 34.69 million tonnes in 2025. The Agriculture Ministry believes procurement targets will remain achievable, supported by strong rice harvest projections for May and June despite the approaching nationwide dry season.

Source: Vietnam Plus. (2026, May 20). Indonesia rice reserves hit record ahead of dry season.

Philippines Expands Rice Milling Program to Support Farmers and Food Security. The Philippines’ National Food Authority (NFA) has expanded rice milling operations in Soccsksargen to support about 1,100 rice farmers and boost rice buffer stocks. Through partnerships with 15 rice mills, the agency will process over 215,000 50-kilo bags of rice worth 48.5 million PHP (0.79 million USD). According to the NFA Chief and the Agriculture Scretary the program helps farmers by ensuring continued government purchases at fair prices while freeing warehouse space and strengthens food security and may be expanded nationwide.

*1 USD = 61.49 PHP

Source: The Philippines News Agency. (2026, May 14). NFA intensifies emergency rice milling to support palay farmers

Thailand’s Rice Export Outlook Faces Pressure from Climate Risks and Geopolitical Tensions. According to the Thai Rice Exporters Association, Thailand’s rice export outlook for the second half of 2026 remains uncertain due to climate risks and geopolitical tensions. The Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) projects total rice exports will reach 7 million tonnes this year, while Thailand exported about 2.2 million tonnes between January and April 2026. A major challenge is price competition from India. Indian 5 percent broken white rice is currently priced at 340 USD per tonne, compared with 420 USD per tonne for Thai 5 percent broken white rice. The significant price gap has enabled Indian exporters to gain a larger share of the African market, one of Thailand’s key export destinations in 2025. According to the association’s honorary president, the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted Thai rice shipments to Iraq, with only around 90,000 tonnes exported during the first four months of 2026. However, if the strait reopens and Iraq resumes imports, demand for Thai rice could rise sharply in the second half of the year.

Source: Bangkok Post. (2026, May 20). Rice exports challenged by Iran war and parched weather forecast.