Diana Mariska, Jakarta – Indonesia has not seen the worst of its wet season, despite intense downpours in several cities over the past few days. In fact, the tropical rains will get even heavier within the next three months, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) warned on Monday.

"The recent extreme rains do not signify the peak [of the wet season]. In Java, including Jakarta, the rains will only get heavier in January, February and March," BMKG head Dwikorita Karnawati said in Jakarta.

She said heavier rainfalls are also predicted for Sumatra, Nusa Tenggara, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Papua during the first quarter of next year.

She reminded people to stay alert and check weather forecasts regularly to avoid disruptions from bad weather.

BMKG has been working together with the Public Works and Housing Ministry and the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) to mitigate the impact of flooding and storms when they happen.

Dwikorita said they have been cleaning drainages, cutting or trimming trees on the side of the road and inspect advertising billboards to make sure they are securely fastened to their metal frames.

On Saturday, a motorcyclist died after a billboard collapsed on him while stopping at a traffic light on Jalan Daan Mogot, West Jakarta, in the middle of a windstorm.

Dwikorita also warned against weather-related hoaxes, which she said are common in the wet season at the end of the year.

"There have already been some hoaxes about earthquakes and tsunamis. I encourage people to check with the BMKG first when they hear news of a natural disaster," Dwikorita said.

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/we-havent-seen-the-worst-of-the-wet-season-yet-bmkg-warns