Cyclone Claudia May Bring More Heavy Rains to Indonesia This Week
Jakarta. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency, or BNPB, issued a warning on Monday that Cyclone Claudia – last monitored in the Pacific Ocean off Darwin, Australia – may bring heavy rains to some parts of Indonesia between Jan. 13 and Jan. 15.
The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) will keep monitoring the movement of the cyclone, which has also been spotted east of the Philippines.
"The BMKG is forecasting rains with medium to heavy intensity [as a result of the cyclone] in South Sulawesi, Bali, West Nusa Tenggara and East Nusa Tenggara. Strong winds with speed of up to 37 kilometers per hour are expected in East Java, Bali, West Nusa Tenggara and East Nusa Tenggara. High tides of 2.5 meters to 4 meters are expected in oceans south of Bali, south of Sumba Island and in the Indian Ocean, from south of East Java to East Nusa Tenggara's Sabu Island and Rote Island," BNPB spokesman Agus Wibowo said in Jakarta on Monday.
Torrential rains have fallen in several provinces in Indonesia since the New Year, causing floods and landslides, including in the Jakarta metropolitan area on New Year's Day.
At least 67 people were killed in Jakarta and its satellite cities Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi, and tens of thousands displaced from their homes.
Lack of early warning from authorities has been blamed for the high number of casualties in Jakarta. A group of flood victims has launched a class action against Governor Anies Baswedan, accusing him of incompetence.
"The current direction [of the cyclone] indicates Indonesia might avoid it altogether. But in the next 24 hours, the BPBDs [regional disaster mitigation agencies] must stay alert since the tropical cyclone moves fast at a speed of up to 100 kilometers per hour," Agus said.
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