BMKG Reminds People Of NTT To Beware Of Tropical Cyclone 96S

Landslides occurred in Lembata Regency, NTT, Wednesday (3/4/2024) due to high rainfall. (ANTARA/Personal Documentation)

JAKARTA - The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reminded the people of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) to be aware of the Seeds of Tropical Cyclone 96S which caused an increase in rainfall and had an impact on disaster events. "The vortex area of the incoming wind or Cyclonic Circulation located in the north of NTT or the Flores Sea has increased to the Seed of Tropical Cyclone 96S and is currently being monitored in the Savu Sea," said Head of Class II Meteorological Station El Tari Kupang Sti Nenotek when contacted from Larantuka, the capital of East Flores Regency, Antara, Thursday, April 4. He explained that the Seed of Tropical Cyclone 96S caused the formation of a meeting area and wind bends in the NTT region to increase rainfall with moderate to heavy intensity and even extreme in the NTT region. The seeds of Tropical Cyclone 96S in the next 24-48 hours are moving slowly towards the South-Southwest. According to BMKG, the potential to become a Tropical Cyclone in the next 24 hours or Friday is still low, while the next 48-72 hours or Saturday-Sunday are in the moderately high category. Sti explained that all city and district areas in NTT currently have the potential to experience moderate to heavy rain accompanied by lightning and strong winds of short duration. It is also influenced by atmospheric dynamics conditions that show the activity of Atmospheric Waves that cross the NTT region, namely the Rossby Equatorial Wave and the Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO). "Then the sea level temperature in NTT waters is still warm and supported by unstable and humid atmospheric conditions, starting from the lower to the upper layers, affects the formation of convective clouds that can cause extreme weather," said Sti. The BMKG has issued an early warning for this extreme weather which is predicted to take effect until April 9. Sti reminded the public to be aware of disasters such as floods and landslides. He said the NTT region was also in the transition period from the rainy season to the dry season so that there was the potential for short strong winds, tornadoes, and sporadic rain in a short local duration.

"But we need to be aware of other impacts such as fallen trees and lightning strikes," he reminded.