Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has forecast potentially heavy rainfall exceeding 50–100 mm in several regions from April 19–21, 2023, that is, during the peak Eid exodus flow.
"From the forecast results, regions of Aceh, Palembang (South Sumatra), West Java, East Kalimantan, North Sulawesi, and Papua need to watch out for (the predicted heavy rainfall)," BMKG head Dwikorita Karnawati said during a meeting with the House of Representatives here on Tuesday.
People also need to remain alert for 20–50 mm of rain of moderate intensity, which could cause hydrometeorological disasters, she added.
Moderate rainfall has been predicted in West Java, Banten, Central Java, East Java, the southern coast lane (Pansela) of Java, several provinces in Sulawesi, North Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, Ambon, and West Papua, she informed.
Karnawati further said that during the Eid al-Fitr holiday, or from April 22–28, moderate rain has been forecast in North Sumatra, West Sumatra, Central Java, East Java, South Sulawesi, West Sulawesi, North Sulawesi, Seram Island, West Papua, and Papua.
"During that period, the rainfall intensity is predicted to be the same as during the exodus peak," she added.
Meanwhile, during the Eid return flow from April 29 to May 5, heavy rain has been predicted in North Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, South Sulawesi, Seram Island, and Papua.
"We will keep updating these forecasts six hours before the incidents," she said.
BMKG will keep intensifying early warnings and coordinate with related agencies at the central and regional levels, she added.
On a separate occasion, the Directorate General of Sea Transportation at the Transportation Ministry said it is planning to support a smooth Eid exodus, including by coordinating with local BMKG stations.
Acting director general of sea transportation Antoni Arif Priadi asked local BMKGs to disseminate weather forecasts to maritime communities to increase vigilance against inclement weather.
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