According to Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Indonesia, the hot temperatures that hit Indonesia and Southeast Asian countries are predicted to continue until August.
Previously, BMKG denied that the temperature in Indonesia was a heatwave because it did not meet the heatwave category.
BMKG stated that Indonesia is experiencing a scorching heat phenomenon with temperatures below those of neighboring Southeast Asian countries. However, there will indeed be an increase in temperature in some parts of Indonesia, which will reach its peak in July and August.
Research professor of climatology at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Erma Yulihastin revealed that the heatwave will not hit the Indonesian Maritime Continent.
“Even if there is an Asian Heatwave, it will stop on the southernmost land that is still connected to the Asian continent, namely Peninsular Malaysia,” she said on her X account.
“For Indonesia, our measurements show that the maximum temperature of 35C feels like 43C in Semarang. But >40C feels like not the real temperature, yes. So it can not be called a heatwave.” she added.
Causes of the Asian heatwave
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has long warned about the increase in heatwaves in Asia, the region most affected by extreme weather due to climate change.
In its State of the Climate in Asia 2023 Report, the WMO highlights the acceleration of key indicators of climate change, such as surface temperatures, glacier retreat, and sea level rise, which will have significant impacts on the region’s people, economies, and ecosystems.
Asia is warming faster than the global average. The most affected parts of Asia are Southeast Asia and South Asia.
The WMO also named Asia to remain “the world’s most disaster-affected region due to weather, climate and water-related hazards by 2023”.
