Jakarta, IO – The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) noted that a number of areas in Indonesia experienced extreme heat reaching up to 37.5 degrees Celsius. BMKG researcher Siswanto said that 10 meteorological stations in Indonesia recorded the maximum surface air temperature above 35 degrees Celsius since April 15, reported Kompas, Monday (24/4).
In the last five days, BMKG records revealed that the highest temperature was recorded at the BMKG Region II Center, Ciputat, namely 37.2 degrees Celsius on April 17. After Ciputat, hot temperatures were also recorded at Pangsuma Meteorological Station in Putussibau, Kapuas Hulu, West Kalimantan. The Nangapinoh Meteorological Station in Melawai also detected extreme heat with temperatures nearing 37 degrees Celsius on April 18.
The heatwave was also felt at BMKG Region I Medan, which registered 36.5 degrees Celsius as well as the Tableian Meteorological Station in Sintang, West Kalimantan (36 degrees Celsius).
Average temperatures of 36 to 36.2 degrees Celsius were also recorded at Tarempa Meteorological Station in Natuna, Riau Islands, Deli Serdang Geophysics Station in North Sumatra, BMKG Region II in South Tangerang and Banten Climatology Station of BMKG Region II in South Tangerang.
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BMKG explained that one of the factors behind the heatwave in Indonesia was unusual atmospheric dynamics. The hot temperature in April in the South Asian region is also influenced by the sun’s motion and the Australian weather which transitions from monsoon to dry season with intensity of sunny weather conditions and lack of cloud cover. Global warming, climate change and heatwaves are also said to increase the frequency of heatwave by 30 times. (un)