TEMPO.CO, Yogyakarta - Heavy rainfall and strong winds suddenly struck Yogyakarta, Sleman Regency, and Bantul Regency at 17:55-17:56 local times on Wednesday, February 3, 2021. Many residents claimed they witnessed lightning strikes near the ground.

The Nexstorm system belonged to the Geophysical Station of the Yogyakarta Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) detected the lighting activity at 17:56 Western Indonesian Time (WIB) with a maximum speed of 45-60 kilometers per hour.

The wind blew in the Kulon Progo area (Girimulyo, Pengasih, Nanggulan, and Kokap) at 17:20 and the Sleman region (Minggir, Moyudan, Godean, Gamping) at 17:40.

“Yogyakarta is predicted to enter the peak of the rainy season, so this type of lightning is considered normal,” said the Yogyakarta Climatology Agency Head, Reni Kraningtyas in a statement.

The agency had issued an early warning of heavy downpour and strong winds accompanied by lightning between 18:25-20:00 in five districts and cities across Yogyakarta.

Based on the latest satellite data at 18:30 WIB, there was potential rainfall with light to heavy intensity in all areas of Kulon Progo, Sleman, and Bantul Regency. The BMKG also warned of extreme weather in Gunungkidul areas, including Wonosari, Purwosari, Panggang, Patuk, Paliyan, Playen, Gedangsari, and Nglipar. “The clouds move to the east,” said Reni.

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PRIBADI WICAKSONO (CONTRIBUTOR)