Jakarta – As a prolonged dry season nears its end, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has warned the public to remain vigilant about possible natural disasters, citing unpredictable weather during the change of seasons.
"We should be aware of potential dangers during the transition from the dry to rainy season. Some regions experience hydrometeorological phenomena that lead to disasters," BNPB spokesperson Agus Wibowo said in a statement.
Agus said several regions may be susceptible to hydrometeorological disasters such as landslides, floods and puting beliung (small tornadoes), which have been the main fatality-causing disasters in recent years.
According to BNPB data, heavy downpours in Aceh, Central Kalimantan and West Java have caused floods and landslides in the regions. Puting beliung have hit areas across West Java and Central Java.
Several other areas in Sumatra and Borneo are still in the dry season, making them susceptible to fires.
"Forest and field fires continue to occur in Jambi, South Sumatra, Central Kalimantan and South Kalimantan," Agus said, "Some mountainous areas in Java and West Nusa Tenggara have also had forest fires."
The Meterology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) estimated that rainy season had arrived in about 20 percent of Indonesia's regions by October, while 47 percent would likely enter rainy season by November and 23 percent by December.
The BMKG also predicted that several regions such as Aceh, North Sumatra, West Sumatra and some parts of Papua would experience heavy downpours in November. (gis)