[6] At 06:00 UTC on 26 November, TCWC Jakarta recorded that the system was located 195 km (121 mi) southwest of the city of Cilacap as a tropical depression with a maximum wind speed of 45 km/h (30 mph).

Wave heights of 2–4 m (7–13 ft) across the central and east southern coast of Java were predicted and a warning was issued.

[8] Several hours later, TCWC Jakarta upgraded the system to a tropical cyclone, giving the name Cempaka which was then located 100 km (62 mi) south-southeast of Cilacap.

[12][13] Cyclone Cempaka never made landfall, but the rainfall it brought caused severe flooding and landslides across 28 regencies and cities in Java, mainly along the southern part of the island.

President Joko Widodo called the people to "remain vigilant" while relief efforts were being undertaken by the national and local government agencies.

[14] The cyclone also changed the direction of ash from Agung Volcano in Bali from eastward toward Lombok to westward across Banyuwangi and Jember.