BMKG: Light To Heavy Rain Potentially Occurs In Several Big Cities

Illustration of rain (ANTARA)

JAKARTA The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) predicts that most parts of Indonesia will experience light rain to rain accompanied by lightning on Friday, June 13. BMKG also warns of the potential for tidal flooding in a number of coastal areas as a result of complex atmospheric dynamics.

BMKG forecaster Nurul Izzah Fitria was quoted as saying by ANTARA that this bad weather has the potential to occur in many major cities in Indonesia, with varying intensity and impact.

The areas predicted for light rain include Tanjung Pinang, Padang, Jambi, Bengkulu, Bandar Lampung, Pangkal Pinang, Semarang, Yogyakarta, Denpasar, Mataram, Tanjung Selor, Ambon, Sorong, Ternate, Manokwari, Nabire, Makassar, and Kendari. Rain with moderate intensity is expected to occur in the Mamuju and Manado areas.

Meanwhile, several cities such as Pontianak, Palangka Raya, Banjarmasin, Nabire, Merauke, and Jayawijaya are expected to experience heavy rain accompanied by lightning. This indicates an increased risk of hydrometeorological disasters such as floods, landslides, and fallen trees.

Cloudy and foggy areas are predicted to occur in Banda Aceh, Medan, Pekanbaru, Palembang, Serang, Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, Kupang, Samarinda, Jayapura, Palu, and Gorontalo, with temperatures ranging from 25 to 29 degrees Celsius.

The BMKG explained that this weather condition was influenced by several important atmospheric dynamics, such as the presence of the Cyclone Tropical Seed Wutip in the South China Sea or northeastern Vietnam which triggered wind confluence and convective cloud formation in the western and central parts of Indonesia.

In addition, the equator's Rossby atmospheric wave activity was observed in the southern part of Lampung to northern West Java, as well as Kelvin waves detected in the East Java region, also strengthening the potential for rain in the vicinity.

The dynamics of this atmosphere causes a significant acceleration of the surface wind, reaching more than 25 knots, and has the potential to trigger high sea waves between 2.5 to 4 meters in several Indonesian waters.

In addition to rain and lightning, BMKG also warns of the potential for tidal flooding or sea runoff to land in coastal areas. Areas that need to be vigilant include coastal areas of North Sumatra, Riau Islands, Jambi, Bangka Belitung Islands, Lampung, Banten, North Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, West Nusa Tenggara, South Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, North Sulawesi and Maluku.

Tidal floods have the potential to disrupt community activities around the coast, including port operations, ponds, and residential areas and transportation.

BMKG urges the public to remain alert to extreme weather and pay attention to official information that is issued regularly. The public is advised not to underestimate the potential for bad weather, especially those living in coastal areas, hilly slopes, and large cities with a limited drainage system. People are also asked not to take shelter under trees when it rains heavily and avoid sea activity if high waves are predicted.

The BMKG also asked the local government and the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) to increase preparedness, socialize extreme weather hazards, and prepare evacuation routes in disaster-prone areas.

With this unstable weather condition, coordination between institutions and public awareness is the key in minimizing the impacts that may be caused.