Despite The Peak Of Drought, The Potential For Rain Is Still In 19 Regions Of Indonesia

JAKARTA - Indonesia from July 27 to early August 2024 has entered the peak period of the dry season. Even so, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) issued an early warning of the potential for moderate to heavy rain in 19 regions.

"Until early August, the potential for rain with moderate to heavy intensity accompanied by lightning and strong winds occurred in the central and eastern parts, although in general it is currently at the peak of the dry season," said BMKG forecaster Syndhy Indah Pratiwi as quoted by ANTARA, Saturday, July 27.

These areas include Aceh, North Sumatra, Riau, Bengkulu, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, North Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, North Maluku and NTT.

A similar situation also has the potential to hit West Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, Papua, West Papua, Mountains Papua, Southwest Papua, and South Papua.

"This condition is influenced by the Rosby Equitator Wave which supports the potential growth of rain clouds in the region," he said.

In addition, local scale heating factors have a significant impact in the process of lifting air masses from the earth's surface to the atmosphere.

Syndhy said cyclonic circulation formed a meeting area and a slowdown in wind speed (convergence) around the Pacific Ocean north of Papua.

He said other convergence areas were observed in the western waters of North Sumatra and central Sulawesi. Confluence zones are monitored in the South China Sea and Pacific Ocean north of Papua.

"In general, the combination of these weather phenomena is predicted to cause significant weather potential in the period 26 July to 1 August 2024," he said.

He said strong winds also have the potential to occur in Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, South Sulawesi, Maluku, South Papua, Central Papua, and West Papua.

BMKG urges the public to be wise and efficient in using water and to avoid clearing land by burning, especially in forest areas with peatland because they are flammable and if a fire occurs, it will be difficult to extinguish.