Kupang, East Nusatenggara (NTT) (ANTARA News) - Rainfall in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province is predicted to remain high over the next few days.

Local meteorology, climatology and geophysics agency (BMKG) spokesman Purwanto said here on Saturday that heavy rain storms would continue to happen in all parts of the province during the next few days.

During the past two weeks the province was already hit by heavy rains accompanied by strong winds.

Purwanto said rainfall in the province would remain high for about a week because of tropical cyclone Vince.

Therefore, he said, he would continue to keep abreast of weather developments and inform the people at large in the province and to the related parties about them.

He said the province was being hit by cyclone Vince that could trigger gale-force winds, heavy rainfall, and high tidal waves in various parts of East Nusa Tenggara.

But Purwanto said the cyclone was predicted to last a week and then to move away from the equator.

He said that although the cyclone would not last long, the people of NTT, especially those on the islands of Sabu, Sumba, and Timor had been warned to remain on guard because they were feared to bear the brunt of its impact.

Purwanto said cyclone Vince would trigger rainfall intensity from mild to moderate, strong with with the speed of 40 km/hour with a potential to create whirlwind, and 4 to 6-meter high waves in East Nusa Tenggara waters.

"Whirlwind and landslides have hit a number of areas such as Oepura and Merdeka villages in Kupang where tens of houses were destroyed," Purwanto said.(*)

Editor: Jafar M Sidik
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