BMKG warns of extreme weather potential from Tropical Cyclone Saudel this morning

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has urged the public to remain alert to potential extreme weather triggered by atmospheric dynamics, including the presence of Tropical Cyclone Saudel in the Pacific Ocean northeast of Papua.

BMKG forecaster Henokvita, in a weather information update broadcast monitored from Jakarta on Friday, explained that Tropical Cyclone Saudel was observed to have an air pressure of 990 hectopascals (hPa) with maximum wind speeds of 55 knots, moving in a north-westerly direction.

“The presence of this tropical cyclone is inducing a low-level jet as well as convergence and confluence zones in the Pacific Ocean north of Papua,” she said.

In addition to Tropical Cyclone Saudel, BMKG is also monitoring a low-pressure area in the Pacific Ocean north of Papua that is affecting areas as far as North Maluku, as well as a cyclonic circulation in the Makassar Strait that is triggering convergence in West Sulawesi and East Kalimantan.

For the western part of Indonesia, moderate to heavy rain is likely to occur in North Sumatra and West Sumatra, particularly in the city of Padang.

Meanwhile, light rain is forecast to fall over Medan, Pekanbaru, Bandar Lampung and Tanjung Selor.

Partly cloudy to heavily overcast conditions are predicted to cover Banda Aceh, Tanjung Pinang, Jambi, Palembang, Pangkal Pinang, Serang, Jakarta, Bandung, Semarang and Surabaya.

For the eastern part of Indonesia, light rain is projected to occur in Mamuju, Ambon and Jayapura, while hazy conditions may envelop Mataram and Palu.

Other major cities such as Denpasar, Kupang, Makassar, Kendari, Gorontalo, Manado, Ternate, Sorong, Manokwari, Nabire, Jayawijaya and Merauke are expected to experience partly cloudy to heavily overcast conditions.

In light of all this, BMKG has urged the public to remain active and to continue updating official daily weather developments through its various digital information channels.