The agency said the rainy season, which began at the end of November last year, would reach its peak in May in Jakarta and in June in other parts of Java.
he Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has issued warnings of extreme weather in several parts of Indonesia in the upcoming days as the rainy season, initially predicted to end in April, is stretching to May or June.
The agency said the rainy season, which began at the end of November last year, would reach its peak in May in Jakarta and in June in other parts of Java, in which heavy rains coupled with strong winds and lightning would potentially occur.
“We predict that the dry season will arrive 10 to 20 days late this year. So, during this transition period, it would be natural for rain and extreme weather to occur,” BMKG climatology deputy head Adi Ripaldi told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.
Adi said the start of the dry season was delayed due to several factors, such as the level of atmospheric humidity as the seas around Indonesia were still warm enough to support the rapid growth of cumulonimbus clouds.
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“At the beginning of May, the MJO [Madden-Julian oscillation] phase is active in the maritime continent. Such a phenomenon has triggered the growth of massive cumulonimbus clouds for several days in Indonesia,” Adi added.
Besides Jakarta and other parts of Java, the BMKG has also warned of extreme weather in other areas including Aceh, Riau, Riau Islands, Bengkulu, South Sumatra, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), South Sulawesi and several parts of Kalimantan.
On Sunday, heavy rains accompanied by strong winds flushed the city of Bireuen in Aceh, with water overflowing and damaging roads while at least four houses were reportedly damaged by falling trees.
On Monday, heavy rains since the early morning in Cilegon, Banten, caused flooding of up to 1-meter deep, which inundated residential areas, industrial places and highways, as well as paralyzed a toll road and caused landslides.
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