BMKG Urges Vigilance for Potential Heavy to Very Heavy Rain Today

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – The Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics (BMKG) has reminded the public to heighten preparedness for the potential of heavy to very heavy rain, given several atmospheric dynamics. BMKG weather forecaster Ranika Dwi stated in a briefing quoted in Jakarta on Saturday (18/4/2026) that these areas include Aceh, the Bangka Belitung Islands, West Java, and West Sulawesi. For western Indonesia, vigilance is advised for potential thunderstorms in Pekanbaru, Tanjung Pinang, Pangkal Pinang, and Bandung. Then, there is potential for moderate rain in Jakarta, light rain in Aceh, Medan, Padang, Jambi, Palembang, Bengkulu, Bandar Lampung, Serang, Semarang, and most of Kalimantan. Additionally, she said, there is potential for thick cloud cover in Surabaya and Yogyakarta. For eastern Indonesia, vigilance is needed for potential moderate rain in Mamuju, Gorontalo, and Merauke, light rain in Mataram, Kupang, Makassar, Manado, Ternate, Ambon, and most of Papua. Then, she said, there is potential for cloudy to thick cloud cover in Denpasar and Kendari, as well as hazy air in Palu. In a separate statement, BMKG forecaster Sentia mentioned that, considering atmospheric dynamics—among others, the Australian monsoon, Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), and Equatorial Rossby waves—vigilance should be increased against the potential for extreme weather and the impacts of hydrometeorological disasters. “Such as heavy rain that may be accompanied by lightning or thunder and strong winds. This weather condition, which can change at any time, is hoped to be taken into consideration in planning activities, especially land, sea, and air travel, as well as various outdoor activities such as worship and tourism,” said Sentia.