The national meteorology agency said it was currently tracking tropical cyclone seed 96S and advised 'mudik' travelers to keep their eye on the weather, as it could gain in strength over the next few days.
he Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has detected a new tropical cyclone seed dubbed 96S in the Sawu Sea of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), with further analysis showing that it was likely to grow stronger over the next few days.
“This new cyclone seed that has emerged will trigger extreme weather. So the public is expected to be more careful and vigilant," said BMKG head Dwikorita Karnawati on Thursday, as quoted by CNBC Indonesia.
The Sawu Sea is located north of Sawu Island and is bound by the islands of Sumba to the east, Flores to the north and Rote and Timor to the west.
The BMKG’s meteorology deputy Guswanto said maximum wind speeds in the vicinity of tropical cyclone seed 96S fell within the range of 15-20 knots (28-37 kilometers per hour) and the pressure at its center measured around 1,007 millibars, while it appeared to be moving south-southwest away from NTT waters.
He also cautioned that 96S could both directly and indirectly impact weather conditions in several parts of Indonesia over the next 24-48 hours to result in very heavy rainfall, possibly strong winds and waves of 1.25-2.5 meters high, or a moderate sea state.
Dwikorita therefore called on people who were currently traveling on mudik (exodus) for Idul Fitri to avoid pushing on with their journeys if weather conditions deteriorated. She also encouraged travelers to actively monitor weather conditions for their trip.
Separately, the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) reported the frequent formation of cyclone seeds in Maluku province’s Banda Sea.
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