Heavy Rain Expected in Sumatra Today, Says BMKG, Accompanied by Lightning

Jakarta, VIVA – The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has forecast the potential for extreme weather in the form of heavy to very heavy rain across a number of regions today. Residents of Aceh and North Sumatra have been urged to heighten their preparedness in facing these conditions.

BMKG forecaster Miftah Ali said the potential increase in rain cloud growth was triggered by the formation of convergence and confluence areas in several parts of Indonesia.

“The convergence area stretches from the waters west of Aceh to the western coast of Aceh, the Flores Sea, the Arafura Sea, the Banda Sea, and from Central Papua to Papua. Meanwhile, confluence has been observed in the northern Malacca Strait, the South China Sea, the Sulawesi Sea, and as far as northern Papua,” Miftah said in a weather update issued in Jakarta on Tuesday, 8 September 2026.

For major cities in western Indonesia, BMKG forecast the potential for thunderstorms in Tanjung Selor. Light rain is likely to fall in Medan, Bandung, Semarang, Yogyakarta, Pontianak, Palangkaraya, and Banjarmasin.

Meanwhile, Banda Aceh, Jakarta, Serang, and Surabaya are predicted to be partly cloudy to overcast. Hazy conditions are expected to envelop Pekanbaru, Jambi, Palembang, Bandar Lampung, and Samarinda, with the potential for smoke or haze in Padang.

In eastern Indonesia, moderate rain is forecast for Nabire, whilst light rain is expected to fall on Mamuju, Palu, Sorong, and Jayawijaya.

The cities of Denpasar, Mataram, Kupang, Makassar, Manado, Ambon, and Jayapura are predicted to be partly cloudy to overcast, with the potential for haze in Merauke. (Ant)