Wind Patterns Are The Cause Of Potential High Waves In Indonesian Waters, Be Alert

Screenshot of the high-wave potential map released by the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) on Friday (12/5/2023). (ANTARA/HO-BMKG)

JAKARTA - The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) said that high waves have the potential to occur in several Indonesian waters on May 12-13, 2023. Head of the Center for Maritime Meteorology, BMKG, Eko Prasetyo said the wind pattern was one of the causes of opportunities for high wave increase. He said the wind pattern in northern Indonesia generally moves from the southeast-southwest with wind speeds ranging from 3-15 knots, while in southern Indonesia it generally moves from east-southeast at a speed of 6-25 knots. "The highest wind speed was observed in the southern waters of P. Java," he said in Jakarta, Antara, Friday, May 12. This condition, he continued, causes an increase in waves as high as 1.25-2.5 meters to occur in the northern part of the Malacca Strait, the eastern waters of P. Simeulue, Bengkulu waters, southern Lampung Bay, southern Sape Strait, eastern Sumba Strait, waters P. Sabu, Savu Sea, Kupang-P. Rotte waters. Then, the northern waters of P. Java-Kep. Kangean, southern Kalimantan waters, Java Sea, southern Makassar Strait, Bali-Laut Sumbawa Sea, eastern waters of Baubau-Kep. Wakatobi, Manui-Kendari waters, Tolo Bay, Banggai-Kep waters. Sula, Bitung-Sitaro waters, Maluku Sea, western Seram Sea, southern waters of P. Buru-P. Seram, eastern Banda Sea, waters of Kep. Sermata-Kep. Babar, waters of Kep. Aru, eastern Arafuru Sea. Meanwhile, higher waves in the 2.5-4 meter range are likely to occur in the waters north of Sabang, the western waters of Aceh-Kep. Mentawai, the western waters of P. Enggano, the western waters of Lampung, the western Indian Ocean of Sumatra, the western and southern Sunda Strait. In addition, there is also the opportunity to occur in the southern waters of P. Java-P. Sumba, Bali Strait, Lombok, southern Alas, western Sumba Strait, eastern Wakatobi northern waters, western Banda Sea, Tanimbar Kep. waters, Kai Kep., western and central Arafuru Sea. In very high waves in the range of 4-6 meters, it is likely to occur in the West Indian Ocean Lampung and the South Indian Ocean Java-Bali. According to Eko Prasetyo, the potential for high waves in some areas could pose a risk to shipping safety.

"We ask people who live and work on the coast around areas where high waves are likely to occur to remain vigilant," he said.