BALIKPAPAN Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Balikpapan Station appealed to residents of East Kalimantan (Kaltim) to be aware of the potential for wet hydrometeorological disasters such as floods, landslides, and tornadoes. This is because the rainy season with moderate to high intensity is still ongoing in the area.

In January, high rainfall has caused flooding at several points in Samarinda City, Kutai Kartanegara Regency, and East Kutai Regency in the last few days. Therefore, residents are asked to remain alert because the rain still has the potential to fall again.

"Last December to January the rainfall was high, then in mid-February to March it was predicted to decrease, but in April to mid-July the rainfall rose again," said Head of BMKG Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman (SAMS) Sepinggan Balikpapan, Kukuh Rimadiyanto, in Balikpapan, Wednesday, January 29.

Although rainfall from April to mid-July is expected to increase, the intensity will not be as high as it will be in December and January. Meanwhile, the dry season is predicted to start from late July to August.

The La Nina phenomenon is the main cause of increasing rainfall in East Kalimantan. This phenomenon occurs due to cooling the Sea Surface Temperature (SML) in the central Pacific Ocean under its normal conditions, thereby reducing the potential for cloud growth in the Pacific Ocean and increasing rainfall in Indonesia.

For the period February - March, although the intensity of rain is expected to decrease, extreme rain is still possible. Therefore, vigilance must still be carried out. Especially if moderate to high rain occurs in conjunction with tidal waves, then the potential for flooding must be more vigilant, "explained Kukuh.

Weather Forecast And Affected Areas

BMKG also predicts that for the next two days (January 30-31), a number of areas in East Kalimantan will experience heavy rain accompanied by strong winds. This condition has the potential to cause flooding, overflowing rivers, landslides, and fallen trees.

On January 30, heavy rains and strong winds are expected to occur in West Balikpapan, North Balikpapan, Linggang Bigung, Long Iram, Mook Manar Bulatn, Nyuatan, Tering, Kembang Janggut, Bangun City, Samboja Tabang, Long Apari, Long Pahangai, Batu Engau, Kuaro, Muara Samu, Paser Belengkong, Tanah Grogot, and Sepaku.

Meanwhile, on January 31, the areas that have the potential to be affected include Bentian Best, Damai, Linggang Bigung, Long Iram, Melak, Mook Manar Bulatn, Muara Lawa, Nyuatan, Sekolaq Darat, Tering, Kembang Janggut, and Long Hubung.

BMKG urges the public to continue to monitor weather developments and increase awareness of potential disasters that can occur due to high rainfall and strong winds.


The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)