"The weather forecast for the next week starting from November 8-14, 2021 in the West Kalimantan region, there will be light to heavy rain, which can be accompanied by lightning, thunder, and strong winds of short duration," a weather forecaster with the Supadio Pontianak Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency, Debiriyan Saputri, said when contacted in Sungai Raya on Thursday.
She also said heavy intensity rainy is common in West Kalimantan and can cause flooding during the rainy season and smog during the long dry season. Flooding usually occurs in January, March, April, November, and December, she noted.
"The rainy weather, which has the potential to be light to heavy, that usually occurs in West Kalimantan, causes flooding and smog (in the dry season). Therefore, the public is advised not to do activities that can cause forest and land fires," she cautioned.
The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency had also issued an early warning regarding heavy rains that could cause flooding in many areas in the province.
Other provinces such as Central Kalimantan, North Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, Central Sulawesi, West Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, North Maluku, Maluku, West Papua, and Papua are also likely to experience heavy rain accompanied by lightning and strong winds, Saputri forecast.
She also urged the public to remain vigilant and alert for the impact of moderate to heavy rains, ranging from floods, water stagnation, landslides, particularly in areas where natural disasters often occur.
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Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor of Pontianak, Bahasan, said the city's government and its stakeholders held a meeting to prepare measures to deal with floods.
He highlighted that the city often experiences natural disasters, such as tornadoes, floods, as well as forest and land fires. Moreover, a number of districts in West Kalimantan are struck by floods, he said.
"This is a reminder for us to remain vigilant against flood disasters, considering that it is still an island and it is possible that it could also happen in Pontianak," he warned.
Pontianak city recorded 125 residential and shop-house fires, 98 forest and land fires, 9 tornadoes, and 6 floods between 2017 and 2020, he noted.
The deputy mayor reminded all agencies to ensure that their equipment and supporting infrastructure were ready.
"To avoid the risk of loss of life and property, I compel to the entire community, especially those living along riverbanks and those living in areas prone to tornadoes, to always be vigilant and alert," he added.
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Translator: Andilala
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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