Jakarta Flood Caused by 15km-high Rain Clouds: Expert

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A meteorologist and climatologist Edvin Aldrian said the height of clouds that produced heavy rainfall in Jakarta areas from December’s end until the first January reached 15 kilometers.

“The rain clouds on January 1 were at an unusual height of 15 kilometers. Compared to Mount Everest, Himalaya, that was a double-height,” Edvin told Tempo at Halim Perdanakusuma airport on Tuesday, January 7.

Edvin who is also a Professor in meteorology and climatology studies at the Assessment and Application of Technology Agency (BPPT) asserted that the 15-kilometer-high cumulonimbus clouds caused heavy rainfall that led to severe flooding in Jakarta Greater areas or Jabodetabek in several areas.

He added that the downpour was local rain, instead of from other regions. Besides, the wind from South China tended to dry. “So the air accumulated continuously and created extraordinary rainfall. The weather before the new year was bright," said Edvin.

Edvin explained that he obtained the information from foreign websites and applications displaying real-time weather atmosphere up to the growth of clouds in certain areas and the height. The app also provides an alarm when the weather has the potential to drop.

The master graduate from the Institute of Hydrospheric-Atmospheric Sciences of Nagoya University in Japan opined that such detailed information was interesting and necessary as it could be used as an early warning for landslide and flood-prone regions. 

Edvin further hoped the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) and the National Institute of Aeronautics and Spaces (Lapan) could consider providing access to such information to the public as a form of early warning.

HALIDA BUNGA