Storms and strong winds hit several cities on Java Island, with casualties

Three tropical cyclone disturbances were observed forming in the Indonesian region at the start of March 2026 and have had an indirect effect on weather across Indonesia. Based on information from the Tropical Cyclone Warning Center (TCWC) Jakarta, BMKG said three tropical cyclone disturbances—Tropical Cyclone Disturbances 90S, 93S, and 92P—are being monitored within the Indonesia monitoring area.

Disturbance 90S began forming on 27 February and, as of today, lies in the southern Indian Ocean off Banten and West Java. Disturbance 93S formed on 2 March and is currently off the northwest coast of the Australian mainland; over the last 24 hours it moved westward. Disturbance 92P formed on 2 March and is located in the Gulf of Carpentaria, south of southern Papua.

In the press release dated Thursday 5 March, BMKG noted that the situation could generate heavy rain with strong winds and high waves around Java, Bali, Nusa Tenggara and into southern Papua. In addition, the heavy rain with gusty winds had already occurred in a number of cities over the past two days, with at least one fatality in Batang, Central Java.

Here is a summary of the impacts so far:

Cianjur

Heavy rain accompanied by strong winds on Wednesday 4 March caused multiple trees to fall, blocking the main Cianjur–Sukabumi route in Warungkondang district. Asep Sudrajat, Secretary of the Cianjur BPBD (Regional Disaster Management Agency), said joint teams moved in to manage traffic. “Fallen trees from the heavy afternoon-to-evening rain blocked vehicles travelling from Cianjur to Sukabumi or vice versa for a time as the roadway was blocked,” he said. By evening, traffic was back to normal in both directions after crews used chainsaws to clear the trees, but motorists were urged to exercise caution when passing. The day-long downpour also caused flooding on the main streets of Cianjur due to poor drainage, trapping hundreds of vehicles in traffic jams on Wednesday.

Ciamis

Homes and public facilities were damaged and trees felled by the extreme weather and heavy rain with strong winds in Ciamis, West Java, on Wednesday. According to Ani Supiani, Head of BPBD for Ciamis, his team had already been deployed to affected sites to ensure public safety and coordinate relief. “The heavy rain with high intensity and strong winds caused several trees to fall, and some roofs of residents’ houses were damaged,” he said, as quoted by Antara. There were no reports of deaths or injuries so far, only roof damage. Damage occurred to several homes in Desa Kertahayu, Desa Puloerang, Desa Sindangasih and Desa Neglasari, and later to SDN 2 Sindangsari and 15 houses in Desa Sindangsari.

Banyumas

The Banyumas Regency BPBD in Central Java reported 21 disaster incidents caused by extreme weather—rain with strong winds—on Wednesday. BPBD official Dwi Irawan Sukma said that as of 17:22 WIB the total number of disasters today was 21, all related to extreme weather. No floods or landslides were reported. The incidents occurred across several sub-districts affecting homes, businesses and public facilities.

Semarang

Trees and billboards in several areas of Semarang, Central Java, collapsed amid heavy rain and strong winds on Wednesday afternoon. Several billboards fell around Kaligarang Street in Semarang. Trees along Jalan Bendungan near the West Flood Canal also collapsed, blocking the road. On Jalan Suratmo, a car was struck by a fallen tree. The owner, Endang, said the heavy rain with strong winds arrived suddenly. A nearby report also noted a tower collapsed at the Gradhika Bhakti Praja building within the provincial government complex, bringing down the roof of the building. The tower—standing on Perhutani land adjacent to the provincial government offices—also felled two cars and damaged another by fallen branches. An PLN electricity pole also collapsed, and a rear parking area with a galvalume roof within the government complex also collapsed.

Batang

Heavy rain with strong winds on the Pantura Batang corridor on Wednesday resulted in fatalities. DetikJateng reported at least three deaths from trees and electricity poles falling at different locations. One fatality on Pantura was in a white vehicle; the victim was taken to Limpung Hospital with serious injuries including head injuries. Another fatality occurred in Gondang, Subah (also Subah) where a motorcyclist was struck by a fallen tree. The strong winds were reported in 10 sub-districts across Batang at the same time.

Emergency services cautioned residents to stay alert as the weather system persists.