Strong winds, torrential rains hit Bali

The Jakarta Post | Wed, 01/12/2011 10:37 AM | National

GIANYAR: Thirty-seven houses in Gianyar regency were destroyed after torrential rains and strong winds hit several areas of Bali on Monday night.

Disaster and Relief Control Center chief Putu Anom Agustina said that the homeowners needed assistance from the local and provincial governments. “We are lucky that there were no casualties during Monday’s incident,” Agustina said.

Strong winds also hit Denpasar, Jimbaran and Kuta, forcing several airlines to delay flight departures.

“We had to wait for two hours before leaving,” said Harikhesa, a passenger on Lion Air’s 10:10 p.m. flight from Denpasar to Jakarta.

Bali Social Affairs office head Ketit Susrama said that the provincial administration was currently coordinating with regional governments to assist victims of the severe weather.

Extreme weather and La Nina predicted to last until March 2011

This year it seems Indonesia has no dry season. Rains normally cease to fall during March through October except for some welcome showers. But not so this year. Extreme and unseasonal weather has continued to sweep through the archipelago with high waves, tropical rains, landslides and floods plaguing many parts of the islands. Even in July and August, which are normally the hottest months, rains have fallen non-stop even into September.

The Met office explains that the high precipitation – or it calls it “weather anomaly” -is caused by the continued warm surface of the entire Indonesian seas by 1° C from its normal 28° to 29 °Celcius. The phenomenon stimulates water evaporation which accumulates into dense rain clouds.

This is exacerbated by the regional impact of La Nina that started in August and is predicted to continue until January or even March next year, said Sri Woro Harijono, Head of the Meteorological, Climatology and Geophysical Board. The exact reason for the warming of the seas, though not yet ascertained, is an indication of global warming. Most impacted will be a large part of the islands of Java, Kalimantan and Sumatra.

The continous rains have also destroyed crops in Central Java, that include soya beans, corn and tobacco.

Whereas, as a side impact from the eruption of Mt. Sinabung, Sri Woro warns that North Sumatra must anticipate high rainfall since volcanic material will absorb water vapour, which will result in higher rainfall.

Indonesian Digest