As Lebaran approaches, a vibrant scene unfolds at Pasar Senen Station in Central Jakarta. Sunlight streams through the windows, illuminating the throngs of travelers bustling through the concourse, eagerly awaiting their journeys home. Amidst this flurry of activity, however, an undeniable challenge emerges: the sweltering heat.
The intense warmth is palpable, made more severe by the crowded conditions. Many homecoming passengers can be seen actively seeking respite, gravitating towards the station’s fans in a bid to escape the stifling atmosphere.
Among those seated near a fan is Akbar (25), who is patiently awaiting his train to Jogja. He shared his concerns that this year’s Eid al-Fitr homecoming journey will be particularly arduous. “Fasting in this heat means people going home will likely be more exhausted than usual,” Akbar explained when interviewed on Saturday (14/3).
Akbar speculates that the discomfort caused by the heat might also lead travelers to rush more than usual. He urges everyone to remain vigilant and prioritize safety. “People might hurry due to the intense heat, which is a side effect. Hunger and thirst also contribute to that rush,” Akbar cautioned, emphasizing the importance of staying careful.
Furthermore, Akbar drew a stark contrast between Jakarta’s current weather and his destination. While he described Jakarta as “very hot,” he noted that Jogja is currently cloudy. “Normally, Jogja only starts to get scorching hot around May. Right now, it seems still overcast. Meanwhile, here in Jakarta, it’s incredibly hot,” he elaborated.
A similar sentiment was echoed by Raihan (19), a student from Purwokerto making his way to South Tangerang for the holidays. Arriving in Jakarta around 3:00 PM WIB, Raihan was immediately struck by the capital’s oppressive heat. “It’s different, it’s hot. Coming from Purwokerto, arriving here, it just feels so hot,” Raihan expressed.
Raihan highlighted the significant weather disparity between Jakarta and his hometown of Purwokerto, which he described as still “cool” or mild. Despite having lived for 18 years in South Tangerang, an area typically known for its warmth, the difference this time was remarkably distinct for him. “Indeed, Purwokerto is still cool. Even though I’ve spent, you could say, 18 years in Tangerang, which is a hot area, the difference truly feels immense,” Raihan commented.
He even confessed that he hasn’t experienced such intense heat in a considerable amount of time, suggesting that the current conditions at Pasar Senen Station were more extreme than his previous visits to Jakarta. “The heat really hits you; it’s very different. I haven’t felt anything like this in a long time,” Raihan affirmed. He concluded, “It feels hotter this time, compared to my last visit. It really feels like today is exceptionally hot.”
Summary
As Lebaran approaches, travelers at Pasar Senen Station in Central Jakarta are enduring intense heat amidst crowded conditions, prompting many to seek relief near fans. Akbar (25), a traveler bound for Jogja, voiced concerns that the heat combined with fasting would make the homecoming journey more arduous than usual. He also cautioned that the discomfort might lead people to rush, emphasizing the importance of vigilance, and contrasted Jakarta’s “very hot” weather with Jogja’s cloudier conditions.
Similarly, Raihan (19), a student from Purwokerto, was immediately struck by Jakarta’s oppressive heat upon his arrival, noting a significant difference from his cooler hometown. He found the current conditions at Pasar Senen Station exceptionally intense, stating he hadn’t experienced such extreme heat in a long time, even compared to previous visits or his warm home in South Tangerang.