Flooding and volcano eruption wreaked havoc Indonesia. Prolonged heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding, starting from 17 January 2026, resulted in widespread damage in Indonesia.  In West Java, there were two fatalities, 7,954 people displaced, and 73,261 people affected in West Java, while in Central Java, 4,910 people were displaced and 88,914 people were affected. In addition, on 19 January 2026, Mount Ile Lewotolok erupted twice in Lembata Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, sending volcanic ash to 400 metres and 500 metres above the crater summit respectively. The alert status was raised from Level II (Alert) to Level III (Standby). Local residents and climbers were prohibited from enter areas within a 3-kilometre radius of the centre.

Source: Tempo. (2026, Jan 19). Mount Ile lewotolok Erupts Again, Ash Column Reaches 500 Metres; Relief Web. (2026, Jan 20).  Indonesia-Floods (ADINet, NoAA-CPC)(ECHO daily Flash of 20 January 2026-Indonesia).

Torrential rains triggered a landslide in Malaysia. On 16 January 2026, a landslide due to continuous heavy rainfall buried the kitchen portion of a house in Kampung PMP Baru Sipitang, Malaysia. No injuries were reported in the incident. The occupants were advised to evacuate immediately, and residents living in landslide-prone areas were urged to remain vigilant.

Source: Daily Express Malaysia. (2026, Jan 18).  Landslides damages house kitchen in Sipitang.

Tropical storm NOKAEN resulted in two fatalities. On 19 January 2026, Tropical storm NOKAEN, locally known as Ada, continued moving eastward over the Philippine Sea and the Pacific Ocean, far from the Philippine coast, and further weakened. As of 20 January 2026, the death toll stood at two, and 20,593 people were displaced, of whom 5,457 were staying in 325 evacuation centres. The total number of affected people exceeded 433,000 across the Bicol, Eastern Visayas, and Caraga regions. Its intensity was expected to continue decreasing and dissipate the following day. 

Source: ReliefWeb. (2026, Jan 20).  Tropical storm NOKAEN, update (NDRRMC, GDACS, JTWC, PAGASA) (ECHO Daily Flash of 20 January 2026)-Philippines.

A 5.1 magnitude earthquake hit China’s Yunnan. On 19 January 2026, a 5.1-magnitude earthquake struck Qiaojia County in Yunnan Province, southwest China. A total of 86 people were evacuated to temporary shelters. Damage assessments of basic infrastructure continued, and local authorities were deployed to conduct rescue operations and inspections across 192 villages and communities. The emergency response was activated at Level III under the four-tier emergency response system, with Level I being the most severe.

Source: Xinhua. (2026, Jan 20). Over 80 relocated after 5.1-magnitude quake hits China’s Yunnan.

Indonesia will launch a single rice price policy in 2026. Indonesia plans to introduce a nationwide single rice price policy in 2026 to reduce price disparities between regions, particularly in eastern Indonesia. The government will support distribution financing to address logistical challenges and is strengthening the state logistics agency Bulog to manage rice distribution and maintain price stability. The reference prices for the policy are about 14,900 IDR (0.88 USD) per kilogramme for premium rice and 13,500 IDR (0.80 USD) per kilogramme for medium rice, while subsidized rice for lower-income households will remain at 11,000 – 12,000 IDR (0.65 – 0.71 USD) per kilogramme. Additionally, the policy is currently being prepared and requires coordinated support, including distribution, financing, and infrastructure development.

*1 USD = 16,905 IDR

Source: Nong nghiep moi truong. (2026, January 14). Indonesia to roll out nationwide single rice price in 2026.

Viet Nam reduce exports from 2026. Viet Nam’s rice exports peaked at 9.2 million tonnes in 2024, worth 5.8 billion USD, before falling to 8 million tonnes in 2025, worth 4.1 billion USD. The Viet Nam Food Association (VFA) plans further reductions to 7 million tonnes in 2026 and 4 million tonnes by 2030, reflecting global oversupply and a strategic shift under Decision 583 (May 2023) toward higher-quality, higher-value rice. Challenges include large carryover stocks and import quota restrictions in the Philippines. To stabilize the farmer price, the government is urged to support temporary rice storage during harvests and expand government-to-government contracts with other countries.

Source: VietNamNet. (2026, January 19). Vietnam to proactively reduce rice exports from 2026.

China’s grain and rice production increased in 2025. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, China’s grain production rose to 714.88 million tonnes in 2026, an increase of 1.2 percent compared to the 2024 rice yield. The growth was driven by a 1.5 percent increase in the autumn rice harvest to 536.62 million tonnes, while the summer rice harvest totaled 149.75 million tonnes, a decline of 0.1 percent, and early-season rice production increased 1.2 percent to 28.51 million tonnes. In addition, Wheat production remained stable at 140.07 million tonnes, and rice production increased 0.7 percent to 209.04 million tonnes.

Source: China Daily – Global Edition. (2026, January 19). China's grain and livestock output rise in 2025.