Beware of Extreme Weather in 24 Areas of Central Java and Tidal Flooding on 31 March
The Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics (BMKG) is reminding the public to be wary of the potential for extreme weather in 24 areas of Central Java on Tuesday (31/3). In addition, the phenomenon of high tides or rob is still occurring in northern waters, which could trigger flooding in coastal regions.
In the morning, weather conditions are generally cloudy. However, from afternoon to early evening, light to moderate rain is expected to fall across Central Java. The potential for extreme weather in the form of heavy rain accompanied by strong winds and lightning is predicted in mountainous areas, highlands, Solo Raya, and central Central Java.
High waves in Central Java waters are reported to be subsiding. Nevertheless, high tides (rob) with a maximum height of 1 metre are still occurring in northern waters from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. WIB.
These conditions could cause flooding in several areas along the North Coast (Pantura), including Pekalongan, Batang, Kendal, Semarang, Demak, Jepara, and Pati.
“Be alert for flooding in several areas along Central Java’s Pantura, as a result of the ongoing rob in northern Central Java waters,” said BMKG Forecaster at the Tanjung Emas Maritime Station in Semarang, Wahyu Sri Mulyani.
According to Wahyu Sri Mulyani, rob flooding is expected to continue until April. In addition to inundating dozens of villages in the Pantura region, these conditions could also disrupt community activities, including transportation, loading and unloading at ports, inland fisheries, and salt farming activities.
Meanwhile, BMKG Forecaster at the Ahmad Yani Meteorology Station in Semarang, Arif N, stated that although the intensity has slightly decreased compared to before, the potential for extreme weather still needs to be heeded.
He urged the public to increase vigilance against hydrometeorological disasters such as landslides, floods, and tornadoes.
The areas potentially experiencing extreme weather include Cilacap, Banyumas, Purbalingga, Banjarnegara, Kebumen, Purworejo, Wonosobo, Mungkid, Boyolali, Klaten, Sukoharjo, Wonogiri, Karanganyar, Sragen, Ungaran, Temanggung, Kajen, Slawi, Magelang, Surakarta, Salatiga, Bumiayu, Majenang, and Ambarawa.
“Other areas in Central Java will experience light to moderate rain, with winds blowing from west to north at speeds of 10–25 kilometres per hour, air temperatures ranging from 18–32 degrees Celsius, and humidity levels of 60–95 percent,” said Arif.