BMKG: High Waves in Labuan Bajo Waters Caused by Cyclone 96S Seed

LABUAN BAJO - The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) predicts that Labuan Bajo waters, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), have the potential to experience high waves until the end of 2025, due to the influence of the 96S cyclone seed.

"Until the end of the year, for the waters in the northern region, on December 31, 2025, it has decreased slightly to 0.7-1.16 meters, while what needs to be watched out for is in the south," said Head of the Komodo Meteorology Station Maria Seran in Labuan Bajo, Saturday.

Maria Seran conveyed this following the incident of the tourist ship KM Putri Sakinah which sank while sailing in the waters of Padar Island on Friday (26/12) evening.

Maria Seran explained that the influence of the 96S cyclone seed made the weather conditions experience light to moderate rain, then high waves until December 31, 2025 in the southern region, which is in the moderate category, ranging from 1.25 to 2.5 meters.

"However, the weather forecast for high waves can increase at any time when it rains accompanied by lightning," he said.

Regarding the accident of the tourist ship KM Putri Sakinah which caused four tourist victims to be still in search and seven passengers have been evacuated, Maria explained that the cause of the ship sinking was because of the alun or swell.

He added that since December 25, 2025, there have been 96S cyclone seeds, which were previously low pressure areas, then on December 25 they developed into tropical cyclone seeds.

"Then in the center of the cyclone's seed, various weather conditions occur including high waves, now the high waves that occur there can scatter or can spread to the waters in the Komodo National Park area, so what happened last night was suspected to be swell, because the wind conditions according to reports from Basarnas then from the KSOP team itself that the weather conditions at that time the wind was also not in a strong condition," he said.

"So it is a swell wave or a sending wave that comes from the center of the storm and when the wave enters narrow waters such as the waters in our archipelago, then it will get higher and can cause accidents," he added.

Maria Seran appealed to residents and tourists to regularly follow official information and appeals from the BMKG and the authorities in the area.

Previously, the joint Search And Rescue (SAR) Team managed to evacuate seven out of a total of 11 victims of a tourist boat that sank in the waters of Padar Island, Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on Friday (26/12) night.

"The joint SAR team after receiving information immediately headed to the location using the RIB of the West Manggarai SAR Post," said the Head of the Maumere Basarnas Office, Fathur Rahman, when contacted.

Two survivors are foreign tourists from Spain. Meanwhile, the other survivors are a tour guide and four crew members.

"A total of three passengers were evacuated by the Nepton ship which passed from Labuan Bajo to Padar Island and four others were evacuated by the joint SAR team," he said.

The identity of the Spanish tourists who are still being searched by the joint SAR Team is Martin Carreras Fernando, Martin Garcia Mateo, Martines Ortuno Maria Lia, and Martinez Ortuno Enriquejavier.

Meanwhile, the two tourists who were found to be safe include Martines Ortuno Mar Amanda and Martines Ortuno Marialia.