Inp.polri.go.id - Bandung. The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) recorded over 10.3 million lightning strikes in West Java throughout 2024, with the most intense activity occurring in November.

"Cloud-to-ground lightning is the most dangerous type, capable of striking homes and offices, leading to fatalities and property damage," said Teguh Rahayu, the Head of BMKG's Bandung Geophysics Station, on Thursday (2/1/2024). 

According to data from the lightning detector in Lembang, there were 6.75 million negative cloud-to-ground strikes and 3.6 million positive ones.

November saw the highest activity with 3.27 million strikes, while August recorded the lowest at 36,787. Sumedang Regency experienced the most strikes, tallying over 2.2 million incidents.

The BMKG advised the public to avoid outdoor activities during storms and seek safe shelters, steering clear of high-risk areas like power poles or towers. 

“Stay calm and rely only on verified weather updates,” urged Rahayu, as quoted by antaranews.com.

The agency emphasized preparedness to minimize risks, as lightning remains a significant hazard in West Java’s annual weather patterns.

(mg/inp/pr/nm)