Weather Satellite Monitors Tropical Storm Strengthens Beyond Timor And Arafura, Public Urged To Be Alert

There has been an increase in cyclonic storms in the Timor and Arafura Seas. (photo: doc. Antara)

JAKARTA – Warning for communities around East Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi, Maluku, and West Papua, and southern Papua. The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) predicts that suspected tropical storms around the waters of the Timor Sea and Arafura have the potential to strengthen in the next 72 hours.

"The BMKG is monitoring suspected cyclone seed potential areas in the Timor Sea and Arafura in the next few days", said BMKG Head, Dwikorita Karnawati, through a press conference attended by BMKG YouTube, Wednesday, December 22.

Dwikorita said the potential for cyclone seeds is an early indication of a tropical storm, so it is necessary to implement a mitigation strategy to prevent casualties.

BMKG through the Tropical Cyclone Warning Center has identified an increase in the potential for the formation of a cyclonal circulation pattern or wind vortex pattern based on an analysis of atmospheric dynamics on Wednesday at 07.00 WIB.

Suspected tropical cyclone seed potential areas are monitored around the borders of the Timor Sea and Arafura or the southern waters of the Tanimbar or Saumlaki Islands for the next two days as the circulation pattern of the wind speed system strengthens.

"It is suspected that the tendency to move south to the southwest towards Australian waters", Dwikorita said as quoted by Antara.

Dwikorita said that in the next 72 hours the suspected area is expected to strengthen significantly, especially on Saturday, December 25, and Sunday, December 26, which is marked by the strengthening of circulation patterns and wind speeds of around 35 km/hour.

The potential for strong winds is predicted to hit the areas of Southeast Sulawesi, East Nusa Tenggara, and Maluku. Meanwhile, high waves of around 2.5 meters are predicted to hit the Seram Sea, Kaimana waters, Aru Islands waters, Sermata Islands to Tamimbar waters, Amamapare waters, northern Agats, and in the Arafura Sea.

BMKG also predicts waves with a height of 2.5 to 4 meters in the eastern Flores Sea, southern waters from Baubau to the Wakatobi islands, also in the Banda Sea, southern waters of Buru Island to Seram Island, and the waters of the Kai Islands and Fakfak waters.

"Based on BMKG prediction modeling, the potential for the potential to become a tropical cyclone on Thursday or the next 24 hours is still low, but on Friday or 48 hours, the potential will increase from low to moderate and on Saturday for the next 72 hours, the potential will increase again from moderate to high and on Sunday, in the next 96 hours, the potential is predicted to be high", she said.

The public is advised to avoid areas prone to river valley disasters, slopes prone to landslides, fallen trees, beaches, and other vulnerable areas, especially from 23 to 26 December 2021.