By Salawati Haji Yahya –
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, 17 SEPT – The Fire and Rescue Department (JBP) through the Operations Center has received as many as 72 calls of fallen trees and 20 calls of blown roofs due to strong winds throughout the district that were recorded for a period of 24 hours until 6 pm this afternoon.
According to the Brunei Darussalam Meteorological Department (BDMD), at about 2:30 this afternoon, the country was hit by heavy rain with strong winds of 80km/h, the highest record recorded at the Meteorological Observation Station, Brunei International Airport.
Meanwhile, at 8 am, Typhoon Bebinca was downgraded to a tropical depression system after making landfall in eastern China.
This system is not expected to affect the weather in Brunei Darussalam.
At 11 am, another tropical depression system was detected at coordinates 13.7N, 144.2E, in the sea area northeast of the Philippines about 3,400km away from the country.
The system is expected to intensify into a tropical storm tomorrow (September 18) and is forecast to continue moving westward.
At the same time, Tropical Storm Pulasan was observed to be at coordinates 19.3N, 137.8E in the northwestern Pacific Ocean around 3,000km away from the country.
Tropical Storm Pulasan is predicted to move northwest away from our country.
A tropical depression system and Tropical Storm Pulasan are expected to affect the country’s weather from today until September 23.
Rain or thundershowers, occasionally heavy and accompanied by strong winds are expected to occur especially in the coastal areas and waterways of the country and potentially spread to inland areas.
Wind speeds can increase from 60 to 80km/h during or near strong winds.
Sea conditions are generally moderate to rough, between 1.2 to 2.5 meters and can rise to three meters during heavy rains.
In connection with that, the public is advised to take early measures for active weather events that are predicted to occur.
There is a risk of falling trees and landslides during heavy rain and windy conditions.
Flash floods can also occur especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas as well as in areas near riverbanks during continuous heavy rains and during high tide events.
BDMD will continue to monitor weather conditions from time to time and the public can get the latest weather information and warnings through the mobile application Brunei WX or contact the Weather Forecast Center, through the Weather Line 114, or visit the website www.met.gov.bn and channel other social media.
