Beware Of Extreme Weather In The Next 72 Hours! Cyclone 97S Bibit Status, High Opportunities To Become Tropical Cyclone

BMKG has increased the status of Cyclone 97S Seeds in the Timor Sea, potentially becoming a Tropical Cyclone for the next 72 hours. (doc BMKG)

JAKARTA - The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) issued an early warning and raised the status of Tropical Cyclone 97S. Cyclone seeds currently being monitored in the Timor Sea, south of the Babar-Tanimbar Islands, are in the category of high opportunities to develop into full tropical cyclones in the next 24 to 72 hours.

Head of BMKG Teuku Faisal Fathani appealed to people in eastern Indonesia to increase vigilance, especially against the potential for heavy rain and high waves which have a direct impact on strengthening the status of 97S.

"BMKG is here to monitor the development of 97S at all times. People don't need to worry, the key is to stay alert and continue to monitor official information. Let's maintain the safety of ourselves and our families," said Faisal in a press statement issued by BMKG Wednesday, November 19.

BMKG Deputy for Meteorology Guswanto explained, based on monitoring from the Tropical Cyclone Warning Center (TCWC), the 97S circulation center is now in the vicinity of coordinates 10.0'LS 130.6'BT.

The circulation structure is observed to be increasingly closed, with the expansion of cloudy areas that have covered more than half of the circle around the center of the system.

The strengthening of 97S status is supported by very conducive atmospheric and ocean conditions. This includes warm sea level temperatures (2830C) as well as active Madden Jullian Oscillation (MJO) activity, which significantly increases the formation of rain clouds.

The cyclone seeds are predicted to grow into tropical cyclones in the early hours of Thursday, around the 9.1'LS 132.5'BT position. The intensity of the wind speed around them can increase to 50 knots.

In the next 24 to 48 hours, the direction of its movement is expected to move east to northeast, before finally turning Southeast in the next 72 hours.

Following up on this, BMKG Director of Public Meteorology Andri Ramdhani asked the local government and related parties to increase preparedness.

Vigilance must be increased against possible further impacts such as inundation, coastal flooding (rob), sea transportation disruption, and infrastructure damage.

Fishermen and small ship operators are also advised to postpone shipping activities if they have to cross waters affected by high waves.

"BMKG through TCWC Jakarta continues to carry out intensive monitoring for a full 24 hours. BMKG emphasizes the importance of accessing official information through the BMKG channel and avoiding the spread of information that cannot be accounted for," concluded Andri.