BMKG Warns of Heavy Rains in North Sumatra Due to Typhoon Rai

jpnn.com, SUMATERA UTARA - For the next two days, the city of Medan, North Sumatra, and a number of other areas nearby would be hit by heavy rains, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has predicted.

This is due to the activity of Typhoon Rai in the China Sea, which triggers low pressure in peninsular Malaysia and convergence in the west coast region, according to BMKG's Medan center.

"As a result, there will be an increase in rainfall in northern Sumatra," said the center's head, Hartanto, Saturday (12/18).

Hartanto said that the wave height would reach 1.25-2.5 meters in the Melaka strait.

In addition, the wave height would reach 2.5-4 meters in the waters west of Simeulue to the Nias Islands, he said.

Rains will be accompanied by lightning and strong winds with a long duration and wide area coverage, with possibility of disasters such as flash floods and landslides.

"We ask all stakeholders and components of society to be prepared," Hartanto said.

Heavy rains in North Sumatra will occur in two groups of areas, namely the standy areas and the alert areas.