TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The West Java Climatology Station of the Meteorology, Climatology, Geophysics Agency (BMKG) confirmed that powerful winds, locally known puting beliung, struck Rancaekek, Bandung, Jatinangor, and Sumedang areas between 15:30-16:00 local time on February 21.

“It caused the roofs of residents' houses to fly off,” the station’s chief Rakhmat Prasetia said in a written statement on February 22.

The BMKG received reports that the extreme wind also damaged the fence of PT Kahatex, part of the roof of PT Indoneftune's DLN warehouse, PT Budi Agung Santosa, Borma shopping center, PT. Sinotex, and the roof of the LEC (Local Education Center) building. Most of the affected buildings were in the Rancaekek District and Cicalengka District.

According to data from the Automatic Weather Station (AWS) at the Cikancung Post, heavy rainfall of 12 millimeters per hour occurred between 3:50 p.m. and 4:50 p.m. local time, and strong winds of 36.8 kilometers per hour occurred at 3:50 p.m. local time.

Based on the BMKG’s radar image, rain clouds were observed in the eastern part of Bandung City at 15:20 local time and spread to the border areas of Bandung City, Bandung Regency, and Sumedang Regency at 15:30 local time.

At 15:50 local time, the rain clouds expanded further to the southeast and northwest, indicating the potential for extreme rainfall with thunders and strong winds.

Rakhmat explained that the phenomenon was triggered by the warm sea surface temperature around the archipelago and the waters south and north of West Java.

Humidity levels were recorded between 60-95 percent. BMKG also observed cyclonic circulation in the Indian Ocean west of Sumatra Island which resulted in the formation of wind confluences along the southern part of Sumatra Island, the Sunda Strait, and the Java Sea. The strong wind then turned towards the area around West Java, raising the potential for cloud growth in these areas.

ANWAR SISWADI (CONTRIBUTOR)

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