Heavy rains to fall later this month
Heavy rains to fall later this month
JAKARTA (JP): The Meteorology and Geophysics Agency forecast
Saturday constant rains in the southern part of Indonesia, mainly
in Java and South Sumatra, to start falling between the third
week of this month and early next month.
The head of the agency, Sri Diharto, told The Jakarta Post
that the delay in constant rainfall in the areas
was mainly due to a scrambling weather pattern in Australia,
which was affecting the weather in Indonesia.
"The ongoing high air pressure system in Australia, which
created a north wind -- which is dry and fast -- has blown away
clouds being brought in by the west wind to Indonesia from Asia.
"Because of the fast speed of the north wind, rain clouds that
are supposed to be in Indonesian skies are being blocked near the
equator," Diharto said.
That was why rains continuously fell in the northern parts of
Indonesia, but only sporadically in southern areas, he said.
According to the agency's previous forecast, constant rains
were expected to start by the middle of last month.
"Actually, we are puzzled with this climatic condition. We
work based on statistical information. From the weather station
we have been monitoring the clouds hanging over Indonesian skies
over the past few weeks.
"But suddenly the clouds were blown away by the fast north
wind from Australia. With that, we have lost the chance to have
rain here."
Diharto said the prolonged dry season in most parts of
Indonesia, including Jakarta, was apparently caused by continuing
effects of the El Nio weather phenomenon.
"But we're not sure about this either. To be honest, the
weather is very unpredictable at this moment."
He said the intensity of rainfall this year would be much
lower than last year.
"At this time last year, Jakarta was hit by a big flood. But
this January, I don't think so. Average monthly rainfall is about
300 millimeters. The month will be normal and hopefully no floods
will occur in the city," he said.
In several northern parts of Indonesia, such as Aceh, North
Sumatra, East and West Kalimantan and Irian Jaya, heavy rains
have already been occurring since October.
"For southern parts of Indonesia, the rain is still falling
sporadically. Again, we don't know for sure if it's because of
the continuing effects of El Nio."
El Nio causes a periodic warming of the water's surface in
the Pacific Ocean. Combined with other atmospheric conditions, El
Nio affects temperature and rainfall patterns throughout the
world.
When asked about the possibility of creating artificial rain,
Diharto said it was entirely up to the Agency for the Assessment
and the Application of Technology (BPPT) to conduct the program.
"Our agency only gives recommendations and data regarding the
areas which have potential clouds that could produce rain. It's
not easy to create artificial rain. The rain would cost about Rp
30 million per day," the 55-year-old rear admiral said.
It takes a lot of clouds and high levels of humidity to create
artificial rain.
"We have to seed the clouds by spraying certain chemicals to
stimulate the rain, such as salt and urea. Then we have to wait
for the right moment for the clouds to mature and for the rain to
fall."
If areas in Indonesia do not have clouds, it would be
impossible to create artificial rain, he said.
"That's why an area affected by the drought will remain dry
until clouds cover the area... otherwise the chance for rain is
almost nil."
Despite weather conditions, we have to be optimistic, he said.
"Indonesia is a tropical country... so we have to have rain.
Don't worry. We will release the latest weather charts this week
and inform the public," he said. (edt)