BMKG Determines South Indian Ocean NTB Red Shipping Zone, Extreme Waves Reach 6 Meters

MATARAM - z

BMKG NTB Meteorology Station Praktirawan, Annisa Fauziah, explained that the wave category was classified as very high. This condition carries a great risk for all activities at sea, ranging from traditional fishermen's operations, inter-island ferries, to marine tourism activities that are the mainstay of the region.

According to Annisa, the height of the waves that hit the figure of six meters is technically beyond the safe limit for all types of shipping. Fishing boats usually begin to face fatal risks when they are hit by waves above 1.25 meters, while barges are threatened at a height of 1.5 meters. For larger vessels such as ferry boats, the safe limit is below 2.5 meters, while cargo and cruise ships begin to face high risks if the waves exceed 4 meters.

In addition to the red zone point in the Indian Ocean, BMKG also reported the potential for high waves between 2.5 to 4 meters in a number of other water areas. The areas to be wary of include the northern and southern Lombok Strait, the southern Alas Strait, the southern Sape Strait, to the northern waters of Sumbawa. So far, only two areas have been categorized as yellow zones with wave heights below 2.5 meters, namely the northern Alas Strait and the northern Sape Strait.

Responding to this threat, the BMKG strongly urges coastal communities and marine transportation operators not to force themselves to carry out activities in the affected areas.

Annisa emphasized the importance of vigilance for residents living on the coastline to always monitor weather developments to avoid unwanted incidents due to extreme weather in NTB waters.