Heavy rains to fall later this month<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Meteorology and Geophysics Agency forecast
\nSaturday constant rains in the southern part of Indonesia, mainly
\nin Java and South Sumatra, to start falling between the third
\nweek of this month and early next month.<\/p>\n
The head of the agency, Sri Diharto, told The Jakarta Post
\nthat the delay in constant rainfall in the areas
\nwas mainly due to a scrambling weather pattern in Australia,
\nwhich was affecting the weather in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
"The ongoing high air pressure system in Australia, which
\ncreated a north wind -- which is dry and fast -- has blown away
\nclouds being brought in by the west wind to Indonesia from Asia.<\/p>\n
"Because of the fast speed of the north wind, rain clouds that
\nare supposed to be in Indonesian skies are being blocked near the
\nequator," Diharto said.<\/p>\n
That was why rains continuously fell in the northern parts of
\nIndonesia, but only sporadically in southern areas, he said.<\/p>\n
According to the agency's previous forecast, constant rains
\nwere expected to start by the middle of last month.<\/p>\n
"Actually, we are puzzled with this climatic condition. We
\nwork based on statistical information. From the weather station
\nwe have been monitoring the clouds hanging over Indonesian skies
\nover the past few weeks.<\/p>\n
"But suddenly the clouds were blown away by the fast north
\nwind from Australia. With that, we have lost the chance to have
\nrain here."<\/p>\n
Diharto said the prolonged dry season in most parts of
\nIndonesia, including Jakarta, was apparently caused by continuing
\neffects of the El Nio weather phenomenon.<\/p>\n
"But we're not sure about this either. To be honest, the
\nweather is very unpredictable at this moment."<\/p>\n
He said the intensity of rainfall this year would be much
\nlower than last year.<\/p>\n
"At this time last year, Jakarta was hit by a big flood. But
\nthis January, I don't think so. Average monthly rainfall is about
\n300 millimeters. The month will be normal and hopefully no floods
\nwill occur in the city," he said.<\/p>\n
In several northern parts of Indonesia, such as Aceh, North
\nSumatra, East and West Kalimantan and Irian Jaya, heavy rains
\nhave already been occurring since October.<\/p>\n
"For southern parts of Indonesia, the rain is still falling
\nsporadically. Again, we don't know for sure if it's because of
\nthe continuing effects of El Nio."<\/p>\n
El Nio causes a periodic warming of the water's surface in
\nthe Pacific Ocean. Combined with other atmospheric conditions, El
\nNio affects temperature and rainfall patterns throughout the
\nworld.<\/p>\n
When asked about the possibility of creating artificial rain,
\nDiharto said it was entirely up to the Agency for the Assessment
\nand the Application of Technology (BPPT) to conduct the program.<\/p>\n
"Our agency only gives recommendations and data regarding the
\nareas which have potential clouds that could produce rain. It's
\nnot easy to create artificial rain. The rain would cost about Rp
\n30 million per day," the 55-year-old rear admiral said.<\/p>\n
It takes a lot of clouds and high levels of humidity to create
\nartificial rain.<\/p>\n
"We have to seed the clouds by spraying certain chemicals to
\nstimulate the rain, such as salt and urea. Then we have to wait
\nfor the right moment for the clouds to mature and for the rain to
\nfall."<\/p>\n
If areas in Indonesia do not have clouds, it would be
\nimpossible to create artificial rain, he said.<\/p>\n
"That's why an area affected by the drought will remain dry
\nuntil clouds cover the area... otherwise the chance for rain is
\nalmost nil."<\/p>\n
Despite weather conditions, we have to be optimistic, he said.
\n"Indonesia is a tropical country... so we have to have rain.
\nDon't worry. We will release the latest weather charts this week
\nand inform the public," he said. (edt)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/heavy-rains-to-fall-later-this-month-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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