Heavy rains in the alert category are predicted to occur in parts of Aceh province, parts of Banten province and parts of capital city Jakarta, in the Oct. 8-10 period.

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency’s Head, Dwikorita Karnawati, on Saturday (Oct. 8) asked people to be aware of potential for extreme weather in the next week.

"Based on the latest analysis, the dynamics of the atmosphere in the territory of Indonesia has the potential for extreme weather in several regions in the next week," the agency’s head said in a written statement received here on Sunday.

According to Dwikorita, for the upcoming Oct. 9-15 period, the agency has predicted that moderate to heavy rainfalls with lightning and strong winds would occur in 34 provinces except West Sumatra and East Nusa Tenggara.

Meanwhile, for the Oct. 8-10 period, based on impact-based forecasts, areas that are potentially affected by heavy rains in the alert category are parts of Aceh province, parts of Banten province and parts of capital city Jakarta.

Other areas that also need to be watched out for are parts of West Java province, parts of Central Java province, parts of East Java province, parts of West Kalimantan province, and parts of Central Sulawesi province.

The potential for high waves would also occur in Indonesian waters, Dwikorita noted, explaining that in the period from Oct. 8 to 14, 2022 high waves of 1.5 to four meters would occur in the northern waters of Sabang (Aceh province), western waters of Aceh, western waters of Simeulue Island (Aceh) and the Mentawai Islands (West Sumatra province).

The potential for high waves would also occur in the waters of Enggano Island (Bengkulu province), the western waters of Lampung province, the western Indian Ocean of Sumatra island, the western and southern Sunda Strait, the southern waters of Banten province up to East Java province.

The Bali strait, the Lombok strait and Alas Strait in the south, the Sumba Strait in the west, the waters south of Bali to Sumba Island, the Indian Ocean south of Banten to Sumba Island, and the Natuna Sea were also predicted to have the potential for high waves.

Furthermore, Dwikorita asked relevant parties to make preparations in dealing with the potential for extreme weather, among others, by ensuring the capacity of infrastructure and water resources management systems that are ready to anticipate increased rainfalls.

She also called on relevant parties to carry out environmental management by not littering and cutting slopes or uncontrolled felling of trees and carrying out a more massive reforestation program.

The agency’s head also expected related parties to trim the branches and twigs of fragile trees and strengthen poles so they would not collapse in strong winds.

She likewise requested that socialization, education, and literacy to the people be carried out more massively in order to increase understanding and concern regarding efforts to prevent or reduce the risk of hydrometeorological disasters (floods, landslides, flash floods, strong winds, cyclones and high waves).

The agency also called for Increased coordination, synergy, and communication among parties related to the preparedness and anticipation of hydrometeorological disasters.

Reporting by Indonesia Window