BMKG Urges North Maluku Residents to Exercise Caution Against Heavy Rain Until 18 March 2026
The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) through its Sultan Baabullah Class I Meteorological Station in Ternate has alerted residents of North Maluku to exercise caution regarding potential increases in rainfall across the region during the period 12–18 March 2026.
Muhammad Dzikrie, a forecasting officer at BMKG’s Sultan Baabullah Class I Station in Ternate, explained that atmospheric dynamics at global, regional and local scales continue to exert significant influence on weather conditions across Indonesia, including North Maluku.
At the global scale, the ENSO index in the Nino 3.4 region is not substantially affecting convective pattern intensification. However, the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) has been observed to remain positive and spatially active, resulting in increased raincloud formation, particularly across eastern Indonesia.
Additionally, Tropical Cyclone Nuri remains active over the Pacific Ocean north of Papua, causing wind deflection and deceleration in the North Maluku region. “This phenomenon causes the accumulation of air masses that contribute to convective raincloud formation,” Dzikrie explained.
In general, weather conditions in North Maluku during 12–18 March 2026 are forecast to be dominated by rain with light to moderate intensity. However, residents should remain alert to potential increases in rainfall with moderate intensity occurring sporadically in the morning, afternoon, evening and early morning hours.
BMKG also cautioned about possible secondary impacts from these hydrometeorological phenomena, including flooding, flash floods, landslides, fallen trees, reduced visibility and strong winds.
Detailed weather forecasts indicate that on 12–13 March 2026, potential moderate to heavy rain accompanied by lightning and strong winds may occur across most of North Maluku, including Morotai Island District, North Halmahera District, West Halmahera District, Ternate City, Tidore Islands City, Central Halmahera District, East Halmahera District, South Halmahera District, Sula Islands District and Taliabu Island District.
For 14–15 March 2026, light to heavy rainfall is forecast across most of North Maluku. Subsequently, from 16–18 March 2026, moderate to heavy rainfall is expected in North Halmahera District, Central Halmahera District, East Halmahera District, South Halmahera District, Sula Islands District, Taliabu Island District and surrounding areas.
BMKG has urged local government and residents to ensure infrastructure readiness and water resource management systems are prepared to anticipate increased rainfall. Additionally, residents are encouraged to enhance disaster preparedness by maintaining environmental cleanliness, avoiding littering, and strengthening community cooperation in their respective areas.
“Residents are also expected to continue monitoring official weather information from the Sultan Baabullah Class I Meteorological Station in Ternate,” Dzikrie said.