BMKG warns of drought despite West Kalimantan rain outlook

PONTIANAK, thekabarnews.com—Rainfall could increase across much of West Kalimantan from September 21 to 30. Ketapang and North Kayong remain under a meteorological drought warning. This is according to an update issued by the province’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) station on September 20.

The station forecasts generally low to moderate rainfall of 20 to 150 millimeters over the 10-day period. 

Conditions will vary considerably across the province. Its outlook gives most areas outside the south a greater than 70 percent chance of receiving more than 50 millimeters. Meanwhile, parts of Ketapang and North Kayong have the same probability of receiving less than 50 millimeters.

BMKG places Ketapang and North Kayong in its highest drought-warning category, awas, for September 21–30. 

The warning means the prospect of rain elsewhere in West Kalimantan should not be taken as an end to dry conditions in the two southern districts.

The contrast follows an uneven start to September. BMKG’s analysis found that rainfall across West Kalimantan generally ranged from zero to 100 millimeters during September 11–20. Moreover, rainfall was mostly below normal. 

Monitoring through September 20 showed that most observed rainless spells lasted just one to five days. 

In Teluk Batang subdistrict, North Kayong, however, the longest recorded spell reached 84 days, which BMKG classified as extremely long.

The station also forecasts below-normal rainfall in parts of Ketapang, North Kayong and Sintang during the final 10 days of September. 

It warned that low rainfall could sustain dry conditions and the potential for hotspots in Ketapang and North Kayong. 

Its figures describe rainfall accumulated over a 10-day period, not an amount expected each day.

The provincial assessment is consistent with BMKG’s national meteorological drought warning. It also lists Ketapang and North Kayong in the awas category. 

In a September 17 national weather outlook, BMKG reported 1,088 high-confidence satellite hotspots in West Kalimantan between September 7 and 16. A hotspot is a satellite-detected heat signal. However, it is not by itself confirmation of a fire.

BMKG has urged residents and local authorities to conserve water, avoid burning waste or clearing land with fire, and report any signs of fire. 

For Ketapang and North Kayong, the next question is whether rain reaches the places experiencing the longest dry spells. Consequently, it is not simply whether the province records more rain overall.