Heavy Rain, Hail, and Strong Winds Hit Bandung as Transition Season Begins

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Heavy rain accompanied by hail and strong winds hit Bandung and Cimahi at the beginning of the transition season from dry to rainy season. “The occurrence of hydrometeorological disasters at the beginning of the transition period is common,” the Bandung Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency’s (BMKG) Head of Geophysical Station, Teguh Rahayu, said on Thursday, October 26, 2023.

On Wednesday, heavy rain accompanied by hail and strong winds hit South Cimahi District at around 1 p.m. local time. Heavy rain accompanied by strong wind gusts also occurred in several areas of Cimahi City at around 1-2:30 p.m. As a result, some trees fell, blocking the traffic flow on the Love Bridge of Cigondewah and Central Cigugur.

Another area that experienced heavy rain accompanied by hail and strong winds was Jalan Gunung Batu in Cicendo District, causing trees to fall and disrupting vehicular traffic.

BMKG recorded that the rainfall in Cimahi was classified as very heavy, up to 20.8 millimeters per hour. Meanwhile, wind speeds in Bandung ranged from 15 to 48 millimeters per hour between 1:10 p.m. and 01:15 p.m.

Rahayu explained that this was caused by the instability of the local atmosphere and hot temperatures in the region over the past month. These conditions support strong convective processes with the growth of cumulonimbus clouds that bring rain.

In addition, there were positive anomalous sea surface temperatures in the north of West Java and Kelvin Wave activity. “No influence of the global weather in this incident,” he said.

The strong wind gusts also indicated that the hydrometeorological disaster was a local event. Therefore, BMKG called on the public to remain calm as the transition period is coming and to monitor the latest weather and climate developments through official channels. 

During heavy rains, especially those accompanied by lightning and strong winds, people are asked to refrain from taking shelter under trees.

ANWAR SISWADI (CONTRIBUTOR)

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