Rama the Commander: War For The Future

Heat Waves and Kamamang

After performing dawn prayers on the second day of Shawwal this year, Rama read the news that is going viral this week, namely, there is a lot of news about the phenomenon of hot weather that hit in Indonesia and several countries in Asia. Bangladesh set a record with the highest temperature reaching 51 degrees Celsius on April 17, 2023.

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) noted, 10 of the hottest cities in Asia are mostly in Myanmar (45.8°C - 45.5°C) and India (44.6°C - 45.2°C). While in Indonesia recorded the highest daily temperature on April 17, 2023 in the Ciputat area of South Tangerang with a temperature of 37.2°C.

The latest news also reported that the Thai government issued an extreme heat warning and appealed to its citizens not to leave the house because the temperature reached 40°C - 54°C. These extreme weather conditions, in addition to having a substantial effect on health, also provide the potential for thunderstorms.

Rama: "Ratna, try to explain about the extreme weather phenomenon that occurs in the news in the media! " (looks very serious face ready to listen)

Ratna: "Okay, Rama. Extreme weather phenomena can occur due to several factors: such as dry season weather, solar pseudo-motion, the effects of the worst heat waves, global warming and pollution, etc, as well as the maximum intensity of solar radiation and the lack of cloud cover.

It looks like the dry season due to the Australian monsoon is already happening this week. The Australian monsoon is a natural phenomenon that occurs in Australia and its surrounding areas. The Australian region has a monsoon climate that changes throughout the year, with very different dry and rainy seasons.

In summer, monsoon winds blow from the northeast, bringing hot, dry air from the mainland to the Australian coastal region. This causes the temperature in the region to increase and the humidity level to decrease. This phenomenon is referred to as "dry season" or "summer season" in Australia.

The Australian monsoon also affects other regions such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and other Southeast Asian countries. In summer, monsoon winds bring dry air to the Southeast Asian region, causing drought and drought. Global climate change can affect the intensity and duration of the Australian monsoon, which in turn can affect weather and environmental conditions in the region and other areas affected by the monsoon.

While the pseudo-motion of the sun is a pseudo-movement that occurs on the sun when viewed from Earth. These movements affect the position of the sun in the sky at any time, thus affecting the intensity of solar radiation received by the Earth. This has an impact on increasing temperature, especially in areas exposed to direct sunlight.

When the pseudo-motion of the sun reaches its peak point, which is when the sun is directly above the head or also called the zenit position, the intensity of solar radiation received by the Earth will be maximum. This leads to an increase in air temperature, especially in tropical regions. In addition, when the pseudo-motion of the sun is getting higher in the sky, then the time it takes for the sun to complete one cycle is getting shorter, so the duration of direct sunlight in a place is getting longer.

And what happens now is a heat wave, a weather phenomenon that occurs when the air temperature in a region rises sharply beyond the average temperature that usually occurs. Heat waves can last for days to weeks and can sometimes be quite deadly, especially for people who are prone to high temperatures.

The main cause of heat waves is dry and sunny weather conditions caused by low humidity levels and strong sunlight. Sunlight seeps into the surface of the soil and heats the atmosphere, which then triggers an increase in temperature. The presence of high pressure in the atmosphere can also inhibit the movement of air, so that the temperature of air at the surface of the earth is increasing.

The impact of heat waves can be very harmful to human health, especially in people who have heart disease, high blood pressure, and respiratory disorders. Heat waves can also cause damage to plants, animals, and the natural environment as a whole. Therefore, it is very important to take precautions and preparations when dealing with heat waves, such as avoiding outdoor activities when the air temperature is very high, drinking enough water, etc, and wear loose and cold clothes.

And the main issue during this time is global warming, especially over the last few decades, referring to the increase in the average temperature of the Earth's surface and global atmosphere over a relatively long period of time. This happens because solar radiation entering the Earth's atmosphere cannot be reflected back out of space effectively by the ozone layer, causing temperatures on the Earth's surface to rise. Increased concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2) released from human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, are among the contributing factors to global warming. Pollution and city effects can also increase air temperatures due to increased heat emissions from vehicles, buildings, and industry.

The maximum intensity of solar radiation depends on several factors, such as the height of the Sun in the sky, the slope of sunlight to the surface of the Earth, and atmospheric conditions. In sunny weather conditions and lack of cloud cover, the intensity of solar radiation can reach its peak because sunlight can penetrate the atmosphere with little or no resistance.

When sunlight enters the atmosphere, most of it is absorbed or reflected back by particles in the atmosphere, including dust, gases, and clouds. However, if the sky is clear and there is a lack of cloud cover, most of the sunlight can directly penetrate the atmosphere and reach the surface of the Earth with a higher intensity.

The high intensity of solar radiation can have an impact on humans and the environment. Excessive exposure to solar radiation can cause sunburn, cataracts, and even skin cancer. In addition, high intensity solar radiation can increase air temperature and worsen drought conditions in areas that are already dry. Therefore, it is important for us to always protect ourselves from excessive exposure to solar radiation, especially when the intensity of solar radiation is high."

Rama: "Oh, so did Ratna. But why does viral news only report conditions in certain places?"

Ratna: "Maybe the media is highlighted only that place Rama.. "

Rama: "Okay Ratna, we start our second mission. Please explain about Blitar and Penataran Temple! "

Blitar Regency has an area of about 1,592.90 km² with a population of about 1.2 million people (based on BPS data in 2020). This area consists of 18 sub-districts and 267 villages/districts. Blitar city as the capital of the district is located in Sukorejo sub-district.

The history of Blitar Regency is quite long and rich in culture. During the Majapahit Kingdom, this region was known as one of the centers of royal government. Some historical sites such as Penataran Temple and Bung Karno Tomb are located in Blitar Regency.

Economically, Blitar Regency is dominated by the agricultural and trade sectors. Some of the superior products produced in this area include coffee, tobacco, fruits, and other agricultural products. In addition, Blitar Regency also has interesting tourism potential, especially because of the existence of historical sites such as Penataran Temple and Bung Karno Tomb.

Candi Penataran is a Hindu-Buddhist temple site located in Penataran Village, Nglegok Subdistrict, Blitar Regency, East Java, Indonesia. This temple is one of the largest temples in East Java and is a historical heritage site of Majapahit kingdom.

Penataran Temple was built during the reign of King Jayabhaya in the 12th century and later repaired during the reign of King Hayam Wuruk in the 14th century. This temple has a very beautiful and complicated architecture with the uniqueness of stone structures, reliefs, and carvings that are very beautiful and detailed.

Penataran Temple has three levels consisting of nine courtyards. In each court there are several stupas and small temples decorated with reliefs and carvings are very beautiful. At the top of the temple, there is a large stupa that becomes a symbol of the greatness of Buddhism.

In addition to beautiful architecture, Penataran Temple also has a very high historical value. The site is thought to have been inhabited for over 400 years, and has been an important site for the Majapahit kingdom in the past.

Candi Penataran has become one of the famous temple sites in Indonesia and become a tourist attraction from home and abroad. This temple has been made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995 and became one of the most popular historical attractions in Indonesia.

Penataran Temple is located at an altitude of about 500 meters above sea level and is one of the largest and most complete Hindu temples in Indonesia. This temple has an area of approximately 40 hectares and consists of various buildings, including 17 main temples located around the main area.

The landscape of Penataran Temple consists of various elements, such as temple buildings, parks, ponds, and resting areas. In the main temple area there are several buildings such as Panataran Temple, Bajang Ratu Temple, and Merak Temple. Each temple building has different architectural characteristics, such as reliefs, carvings, and ornaments that decorate the walls and roof of the building.

The garden around the temple consists of a flower garden and a neat and beautiful green garden. The garden is made with shady trees and some ornamental plants. In addition, there are also several ponds and artificial lakes placed in the temple area.

The rest area around the temple is a place to rest and enjoy the view around the temple. In this area there are several supporting buildings, such as a gazebo and a simple cottage. In addition, there are also several kiosks that sell souvenirs and souvenirs.

Along with the age that has reached more than 800 years, many stories and myths that develop around this temple, one of which is about ghosts that are said to haunt the location of the temple. Ghost myths around Penataran Temple itself comes from several stories from the surrounding community. That said, the ghost appears at night and can be a female figure dressed in white or a male figure dressed in a black suit. Some people also reported strange noises or the sound of crying people heard from inside the temple at night.

Kamamang ghost is also a ghost figure that often appears around the temple Penataran at night. This ghost is said to have a frightening appearance, with a large and tall body and the shape of a fireball-shaped head and hovering in the air. Kamamang ghosts are said to be believed to be the guardians of Penataran temple and its surroundings.

In addition, there is a story about the existence of a mysterious hole in one of the temple walls that is said to be the exit of the ghost. The hole is believed to have mystical energy that can attract people who are not careful to enter it. Therefore, local people avoid to approach the hole at night.

The hole is called the "Devil's Hole". That said, the hole became a nest of fine creatures and many residents around believe that the hole is the entrance to another world.

However, there is actually no concrete evidence that states that the hole really exists or has a connection with the beliefs of the surrounding community. Some historical and archaeological experts suggest that the hole may be the remains of the original temple building or part of the unfinished temple construction."

Rama: "Ok Ratna, it seems I saw a red thread about the ghost of Kamamang, forest fires and heat waves. Let's get ready to head to Blitar. Please Ratna satellite in space set with active mode"

Rama immediately prepared himself to do his second mission to the Blitar area, especially in the Penataran Temple area.