Cyclone Seroja Turns Motocross Track, Farms into New Lakes in Eastern Indonesia

KOMPAS.com - New lakes emerged after tropical cyclone Seroja hit East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province on Sunday, April 4. Rainwater has covered some parts of the villages such as motocross track and farmland. 

Head of the NTT Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Margiono said the formation of the new lake namely Lake Tangkolo in Sikumana village, Kupang was the result of the recent extreme weather that hit the area.

"The extreme weather conditions at that time triggered the emergence of water springs from the rocks of a mountain ridge in the area," said Margiono at Lake Tangkolo Tuesday, April 20.

Elsewhere, the NTT Indonesian Geological Experts Association chairman Dr. Herry Kota said the new lake is categorized as a karst lake following a high erosion process in limestone areas. 

Also read: Mounds Appear After Seroja Cyclone in East Nusa Tenggara

"The newly-formed lake in Sikumana village is categorized as dolina lakes or karst lakes," State News Antara quoted Herry as saying Monday, April 19.

He explained that the formation of lakes often occurs in areas with karst topography or landscapes that have a distinctive hydrological cycle as a result of carbonate rocks development.

"The karst topographical area of Kupang city consists of extensive limestone. If high-intensity rain poured, there would be a very high process of erosion or dissolution of limestone," Herry continued.

Previously, Mikhael Lakapu, a resident, confirmed the appearance of the new lake in Sikumana Village.

At first, the residents felt earthquake tremors from the ground before water overflowed and  covered the farmland. 

Also read: New Indonesian Island Found After Cyclone Seroja

"This area used to be farmland. However, after a stormy rain it appeared a lake about 200 meters in width," said Mikhael.

Another resident, Bendelina Taloin said that the phenomenon was the first time happening in the area in decades, attracting villagers to take pictures.

"For decades we have been living here, this is the first time we see the formation of the new lake. Not only lakes, but also new water springs," Bendelina said.

Not only in Maulafa district new lakes have also emerged in Batuplat village in Alak District. The land, which is owned by a resident known as Nyongky Saitapy, was previously used for a motocross track.

"The lake is more than two hectares with a depth of more than two meters," said Batuplat village head Jerimid Oktavianus.

"We will clean the leaves and woods from some parts of the lake so that people can come to see beautiful scenery," said Jerimid.

(Editor: Phytag Kurniati)

Source: https://regional.kompas.com/read/2021/04/22/110713678/danau-danau-baru-yang-terbentuk-usai-badai-tropis-seroja-ntt-di-arena