BMKG Warns of Heavy Rain Until March

Entering March, several atmospheric phenomena occur simultaneously. According to the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) these phenomena increase the potential of heavy rain in Indonesian territory.

“Currently, we identify Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) phenomenon has occurred in the Indian Ocean. The MJO is an atmospheric wave that moves from the west (Indian Ocean) to the east and can increase the potential of rainfall in the area it passes,” Deputy for Meteorology of the BMKG Mulyono said in a press release.

The MJO is predicted to move across the Indonesian territory and can last for one week ahead. This condition, according to Mulyono, will cause the flow of wet air from Indian Ocean to Indonesian territory, especially in West and Central Indonesia, which increases rainfall potential in Sumatra, Kalimantan, Java, Bali, Nusa Tenggara, and Sulawesi.

The BMKG has also detected the presence of cyclonic circulation in West Indian Ocean of Sumatra which forms a convergence zone in Sumatra, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, and Java.

Therefore, the BMKG urged the public to remain vigilant during early March, especially the impact of high rainfall that can trigger hydro-meteorological disasters such as floods, landslides, flash floods, inundations, strong winds, fallen trees and slippery roads. This condition can get worse until mid-March 2019.

According to the BMKG, a number of areas that have the potential of heavy rain are: West Sumatra, Jambi, Bengkulu, South Sumatra, Lampung, Banten, DKI Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta, East Java, Bali, West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, South Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi, West Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, Maluku, West Papua, and Papua.

Based on the BMKG prediction, high waves of 2.5 to 4.0 meters are expected to occur in south waters of Central Java to East Java, the southern part of the Bali Strait, the West of Mentawai Island’s Indian Ocean to Lampung, South of Java’s Indian Ocean to Bali. (EN/Humas BMKG/ES)

Translated by: Galuh Wicaksono
Edited by: Mia Medyana