“The (tornado) potential is evenly distributed. Resident should be alert,” said Soekamto, BMG’s Head of Climate and Agriclimate Information, via telephone, yesterday (25/12).

Tornadoes usually come after a mass of white cloud turns quickly into thick black cloud.

The wind can move within a radius of between five and ten kilometers at speeds of between 40 and 60 kilometers per hour.

According to Soekamto, rain accompanied by strong winds may occur up until January.

The wind position which is moving up and down in the Java Sea may trigger rain and strong winds in Jakarta, either during the day or night.

As regards the rainy season, according to BMG, this will reach its peak in the third week of January until early February.

At that time, rain patterns will change due to the meeting between the wind from the Southwest and from the Northwest, from Lampung to East Nusa Tenggara.

“Heavy rains will occur from morning until night,” said Soekamto.

In order to reduce the danger due to storm, Jakarta’s Municipal Gardening Service has continued cutting down trees along the sides of roads.

Despite the rainy season not having yet reached the peak, yesterday Jakarta’s north coast was inundated, caused by overflowing high tides.

Sea water, for example, flooded roads and houses in six areas in Muara Baru.

Up to noon, the depth of sea water flooding in Penjaringan, North Jakarta, reached 90 centimeters.

“In the evening, it usually recedes,” said Penjaringan Chief, Budi Santoso.

Since late November, the Muara Baru area has been flooded by sea water almost every day.

Yet, generally residents have preferred to remain in their houses.