Sea temperature anomaly: BMKG warns of moderate to heavy rain in North Sumatra

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has reported that warm sea surface temperature anomalies persist in the Indian Ocean west of Sumatra and the Malacca Strait, along with wind shear and wind convergence around the East Coast of North Sumatra.

“These conditions support the potential formation of convective clouds in North Sumatra,” said Martha Rosefina, Head of the Early Warning System Meteorology Team at BMKG Region I, in Medan on Tuesday.

She noted that active atmospheric wave activity, wind shear and convergence from the west coast to the eastern slopes, as well as warm sea surface temperatures, are increasing the supply of water vapour in North Sumatra.

“Weather in North Sumatra over the coming week will generally be dominated by moderate to heavy rain conditions,” she said.

Areas with potential for moderate to heavy rainfall include Langkat Regency, Binjai, Medan, Deli Serdang, Serdang Bedagai, Tebing Tinggi, Asahan, Labuhanbatu, North Labuhanbatu, South Labuhanbatu, Pakpak Bharat, Dairi, Karo, and Humbang Hasundutan.

Similar conditions may also occur in Samosir, Toba, Simalungun, South Tapanuli, Padang Sidempuan, Central Tapanuli, Sibolga, North Tapanuli, Padang Lawas, Mandailing Natal, Gunung Sitoli, Nias, South Nias, North Nias, and West Nias.

Regional leaders have also been urged to coordinate with the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (Polri) to continue monitoring information provided by BMKG through social media @infobmkgsumut.

The public can also contact the information service of the BMKG Region I Medan Centre through the call centre at 082168043653 or email bbmkg1@bmkg.go.id.