Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — The Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has warned of extreme weather across several regions in the country over the next three days, from Tuesday (March 18) to Thursday (March 20). The adverse conditions are linked to the emergence of Tropical Cyclone 91S.
According to BMKG, Indonesia will faces another heavy rainfall and extreme weather in March. One of the primary factors behind the anticipated is the formation of Tropical Cyclone 91S in the Indian Ocean, south of West Java.
This system is further intensified by the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), a phenomenon that enhances rainfall and contributes to high waves in certain areas.
As of March 17 at 07:00 WIB (Western Indonesian Time), BMKG reported that Tropical Cyclone 91S was moving west-southwest away from Indonesia with wind speeds of 15 knots (28 km/h) and a pressure of 1010 hPa.
Extreme Rainfall and High Waves
While the cyclone’s development potential over the next 24 hours remains low, regions such as Bengkulu, Lampung, Banten, Jakarta, and parts of Java are expected to experience moderate to heavy rainfall.
Additionally, BMKG has forecasted high waves ranging from 1.25 to 2.5 meters in southern Lampung’s Sunda Strait, waters south of Bali to Sumba, and the Lombok Strait.
Meanwhile, the western waters of Bengkulu to Lampung, the western Sunda Strait near Pandeglang, waters south of Banten to East Java, and the Indian Ocean west of the Mentawai Islands to Lampung, as well as south of Banten to West Nusa Tenggara, may experience waves reaching 2.5 to 4 meters.
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Despite the cyclone not making landfall in Indonesia, BMKG head Dwikorita Karnawati stressed the significant impact it could have. “We urge the public to stay vigilant against potential heavy rainfall, strong winds, floods, landslides, and falling trees,” she said.
Karnawati also called on local governments to take proactive measures in response to BMKG’s early warnings. “We hope regional authorities can coordinate with relevant agencies, including the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), to ensure effective mitigation efforts and swift emergency responses,” she added.
Intensifying Extreme Weather in Indonesia
BMKG’s Director of Public Meteorology, Andri Ramdhani, noted that aside from Tropical Cyclone 91S, the MJO’s activity in the western Indian Ocean is expected to move into phase three within a week, further intensifying cloud formations over western and central Indonesia.
This combination could lead to severe weather, particularly in southern Sumatra and Java, where wind convergence and slowing airflows are likely to enhance storm activity.
According to BMKG’s analysis, from March 18 to 20, heavy rainfall is expected in North Sumatra, Bangka Belitung Islands, Lampung, East Java, West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, North Sulawesi, and South Sulawesi. Additionally, the Riau Islands may experience exceptionally heavy rainfall.
For the period of March 21 to 24, BMKG forecasts continued heavy rainfall in Aceh, East Java, West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara, Central Papua, Highland Papua, and South Papua.
Authorities are urging residents in affected areas to stay alert and follow official weather updates to minimize risks associated with the upcoming extreme weather conditions.
(Raidi/Agung)
