Cyclone Olga Strengthens, Floods in Several Areas

The emergence of this tropical cyclone triggered heavy rain and strong winds in a number of areas, resulting in flooding.

KOMPAS/P RADITYA MAHENDRA YASA

The police helped push stranded vehicles of homecoming travelers through a flooded area on the northern coast route in Kaligawe, Semarang City, Central Java, on Saturday (6/4/2024). The floods in the area pose a potential threat of causing long traffic jams during the peak of homecoming traffic.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Cyclone Olga appeared in the Indian Ocean southwest of Sabu Island, East Nusa Tenggara. The emergence of this tropical cyclone triggered heavy rain in a number of areas resulting in floods, especially in eastern Indonesia.

Head of the Public Meteorology Center of the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Andri Ramdhani said that the position of cyclone Olga on Saturday (6/4/2024) was at 12.6 South Latitude and 120.1 East Longitude or about 300 kilometers southwest of Sabu Island.

"This cyclone is moving southeast at a speed of 2 knots or 4 kilometers per hour, moving away from Indonesian territory. The wind strength reaches 40 knots or 75 kilometers per hour with a center pressure of 996 hPa (hectopascals)," he said.

Based on the prediction by BMKG, on Sunday (4/7/2024) at 07.00 AM WIB, this cyclone will be located in the Indian Ocean with coordinates of 13.4 LS and 119.9 BT or about 385 km southwest of Sabu. Its wind strength is predicted to increase up to 60 knots or 110 km per hour and air pressure at the center is 983 hPa.

"It is predicted that tropical cyclone Olga's maximum wind speed will increase in the next 24 hours to category two," he said.

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According to Andri, tropical cyclone Olga has indirectly impacted the weather in Indonesia in the next 24 hours with moderate to heavy rain in the Lampung, Banten, West Java, Central Java, East Java, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, Bali, West Nusa Tenggara, and East Nusa Tenggara regions. "Strong winds can also occur in the NTT area," he added.

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Floods in Tanah Pinoh District, Melawi Regency, West Kalimantan, Monday (1/4/2024).

In addition, this cyclone also triggers high waves in several areas. Waves as high as 2.5-4 meters can occur in the southern Indian Ocean region of Sumba Island. "The potential for high waves in several areas can pose a risk to maritime safety," he said.

Floods in eastern Indonesia

A report from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) stated that heavy rain caused flooding in Maluku and West Papua. According to the Head of Data, Information, and Communication Center for BNPB Disaster Management, Abdul Muhari, the floods have resulted in 606 houses being submerged in floodwater in the Central Maluku Regency, Maluku Province.

It is predicted that tropical cyclone Olga's maximum wind speed will increase in the next 24 hours to category two.

The flood occurred on Tuesday (4/2/2024) at 5 PM WIB after heavy rains. According to the report from the BNPB Operations Control Center, floods as high as 15 to 100 centimeters inundated areas of Leawai Village, Waeasi, Marasahua, Sariputih, Kobimukti in the East North Seram Timur Kobi District.

In addition, floods inundated Yakora District, Teluk Bintuni Regency, West Papua. The flooding was caused by the overflowing of the Sebyar River due to heavy rain that occurred in most areas of Teluk Bintuni Regency since Thursday (4/4/2024).

KOMPAS/P RADITYA MAHENDRA YASA

Motorcycle travelers crossing flooded areas on the Pantura route in Kaligawe, Semarang City, Central Java on Saturday (6/4/2024). Floods in the area have the potential to cause long traffic jams coinciding with the homecoming traffic.

Data compiled by the Center for Control and Operations (Pusdalops) of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), on Friday evening (5/4/2024), showed that at least 500 people or 150 families were affected as floods submerged residential areas.

Also read: Cyclone Seroja Shows Weak Disaster Mitigation in East Nusa Tenggara

Meanwhile, the submerged areas include Kyambo Village, Bumbangyakira Village, Manini Village, Yakora I Village, and Yakora II Village. It was reported that 150 houses were submerged and one place of worship was affected.