U.S. Ambassador in Jakarta Clarifies about Recent Weather Alert

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - United States Ambassador to Indonesia, Joseph R. Donovan Jr. met with Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan at City Hall today to clarify the weather alert that was released by the U.S. Embassy on January 6, 2020. 

According to Joseph, the information released by the US embassy website was misinterpreted by the public after they predicted the city would possibly endure extreme rainfall up to January 12. He asserts the forecast does not suggest such weather exactly on January 12. 

“I can assure you that the United States Embassy is not predicting Jakarta’s weather,” said Joseph R. Donovan Jr. at City Hall today. The Ambassador is slated to return to the U.S. on January 9.

Moreover, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan explained that the misunderstanding was down to the misinterpreting of the word ‘on’ and ‘through’ regarding the weather’s timeline. 

The governor also used the meeting with Joseph to express gratitude upon bridging U.S. - Indonesian ties for the past three years.

U.S. embassy issued a warning through the official page usembassy.gov on Monday, January 6, 2020. Based on weather forecasts, Jakarta will experience rainfall up to January 12, 2020.

"Please anticipate storm and strong winds with the possibility of flooding, landslides, power outages and difficult travel conditions across the region,” reads the early warning weather.

On the page, the U.S. Embassy also provided information about actions that should be taken such as preparation of emergency response, including family plans, work, and school.

Americans in Jakarta and surrounding areas are also encouraged to keep an eye on the media about local events, environment, and practice personal awareness to deal with the disaster. As well as getting the information from the local weather authority Indonesia on the official website of BMKG.

IMAM HAMDI