Indonesia braces for heavy rain, high seas as multiple tropical systems approach

JAKARTA, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia has issued a weather alert for heavy rainfall and high seas as multiple tropical systems affect surrounding waters ahead of the peak of the rainy season early next year, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) said Tuesday.

The BMKG said Tropical Cyclone Bakung, which has intensified to Category 2, is moving southwest of Lampung in Sumatra and away from Indonesian territory, but may still increase rainfall in parts of Sumatra. Two other tropical disturbances, Tropical Cyclone Seed 93S south of East Java and Tropical Cyclone Seed 95S in the Arafura Sea off southern Papua, are expected to strengthen winds and sea conditions.

Eko Prasetyo, director of maritime meteorology at the BMKG, said the two systems could generate waves of up to 4 meters in the southern Indian Ocean off Central Java and in northern Pacific waters off Maluku.

The BMKG urged the public, especially in coastal areas, to remain vigilant, noting that close monitoring of the systems will continue in the coming days. ■