The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has reported that the intensity of meteorological phenomena, which can trigger heavy rains during the year-end holiday season, in Indonesia has increased.
“From today (Tuesday) until January 2, 2023, the dynamics or phenomena happening in the atmosphere around Indonesia still have significant potential to increase rainfall in some regions,” BMKG head Dwikorita Karnawati said at an online press conference on Tuesday.
The phenomena include the increasing intensity of the Asian monsoon—which could be potentially accompanied by a cold surge—as well as cross-equatorial flow, which could accelerate the growth of rain clouds in the western, central, and southern parts of Indonesia, she added.
The Asian cold surge commonly accompanies the Asian monsoon, as the cold surge indicates the potential for the flow of cold air masses from the Asian continent to the southern hemisphere, she noted.
“The cold surge from Asia accompanied by the equatorial cross-flow can indirectly cause increasing rainfall and wind speed around the southern part of Indonesia,” the BMKG head stated.
In addition, she informed that there are indications of a low-pressure center forming around Australia, which could cause wind accumulation and deceleration patterns in some regions of Indonesia that are located at the southern equator.
This could increase the growth of rain clouds and strong winds around Sumatra, Java, and Nusa Tenggara areas as well as the occurrences of high waves in Indonesian waters, she said.
She informed that downpours may potentially be recorded from December 27, 2022, to January 2, 2023, in Banten, West Java, Jakarta, Central Java, Yogyakarta, East Java, Bali, West Nusa Tenggara, and East Nusa Tenggara.
“We need to be aware of the potential for heavy as well as very heavy rain in some of these regions,” Karnawati said.
Hence, she asked all stakeholders and the public to make preparations, for instance, by ensuring that the capacity and management of water resource infrastructure are ready to anticipate the hydrological phenomenon as well as stopping littering.
“So, please not only stay vigilant, but also be really prepared,” she added.
Source: Antara News