The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency has identified the movement of Tropical Cyclone Bavi in the northern Philippine Sea north of Papua Barat as raising the potential for significant rain cloud growth in several Indonesian regions.
BMKG forecaster Lintang A explained that although the cyclone is moving northwest away from Indonesia, the system is forming a low level jet along the northern Pacific Ocean east of the Philippines. The atmospheric dynamics are triggering convergence in the northern Philippine Sea, Papua Barat, the Sulu Sea, and the northern Halmahera Sea.
"Those conditions are able to increase the potential for rain cloud growth around the tropical cyclone area as well as along the convergence and confluence areas," she said.
BMKG urged the public to heighten preparedness for potential heavy to very heavy rain, especially in South Papua Province. Special attention was given to the transport sector in Padang due to possible fog or dry smoke particles.
In western Indonesia, moderate rain is forecast in Tanjung Selor and light rain in Medan and Tanjung Pinang. Eastern areas including Sorong, Nabire, Jayapura, Jayawijaya, and Merauke are projected to see light rain.