BMKG: Be alert for heavy rain and strong winds in 10 districts of North Sulawesi

Manado (ANTARA) — The Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) says that 10 districts/cities in North Sulawesi (Sulut) are at risk of heavy rainfall that may be accompanied by thunder and strong winds. ‘BMKG has issued an alert for extreme weather in North Sulawesi through 21 May 2026,’ said Dhira Utama, Head of the Sam Ratulangi Meteorology Station in Manado, in Manado on Tuesday. An analysis of atmospheric dynamics shows that there is an active Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) with spatial activity and Kelvin waves in North Sulawesi which can significantly intensify convective activity. Furthermore, he added, a low pressure area to the northeast of North Sulawesi causes convergence or wind turning, forming a fertile area for convective clouds and supported by a locally strong instability index. The combination of these phenomena shapes atmospheric conditions predicted to support rainfall of moderate to heavy intensity, potentially accompanied by lightning and strong winds in several districts/cities in North Sulawesi. The districts/cities affected are Manado City, Tomohon City, Bitung City, Minahasa Regency, Minahasa Tenggara Regency, Minahasa Selatan Regency, Bolaang Mongondow Regency, Bolaang Mongondow Utara Regency, Bolaang Mongondow Selatan Regency and Talaud Islands Regency. BMKG urges communities, regency/city governments and the North Sulawesi Provincial Government to heighten vigilance and preparedness and to coordinate with relevant agencies. ‘Considering weather is dynamic, it is advised to continuously monitor weather developments and early warnings from Sam Ratulangi Meteorology Station Manado,’ Dhira Utama said. For more detailed weather information for every subdistrict across North Sulawesi, visit https://cuaca.bmkg.go.id/ and other verified information channels.