Beware, High Waves Up To 6 Meters Will Occur In Indonesian Waters

Illustration - A fishing boat during high waves in the waters of the Malacca Strait in the coastal area of Lhokseumawe, Aceh Province. (Photo: Rahmad/Antara)

JAKARTA - The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) issued an early warning of very high waves of up to 6 meters in the waters of the northern Natuna Sea and the northern Pacific Ocean of West Papua and Papua.

Reported by Antara, Wednesday, December 8, based on an official statement received in Jakarta, Wednesday, the chance for high waves in Indonesian waters will take place on December 8-9, 2021.

The influencing conditions are that the wind pattern in the northern part of Indonesia is dominantly moving from West - North with wind speeds ranging from 5 - 25 knots, while in the southern part of Indonesia dominantly moving from Southwest - Northwest with wind speeds ranging from 4 - 27 knots.

The highest wind speed was observed in the North Natuna Sea, the waters of Kep. Anambas - Kep. Natuna, the Indian Ocean south of Central and East Java, the northern waters of West Papua - Papua, the northern Pacific Ocean of West Papua - Papua.

This condition also causes an increase in waves as high as 1.25 - 2.50 meters which is likely to occur in several waters such as the Malacca Strait, northern waters of Sabang, Lhokseumawe waters, western waters of Aceh, western waters of Simeulue Island - Mentawai Islands, Enggano waters - Bengkulu, western waters of Lampung, western Indian Ocean Sumatra, western and southern Sunda Strait, southern waters of Banten - Sumba Island, southern part of Sape Strait, West Sawu Sea and Sumba Strait, eastern waters of Batam Islands - Bintan Islands, waters north of Bangka Belitung Islands, central and eastern Java Sea, southern waters of Central Kalimantan, northern waters of Central Java - Kangean Islands, waters west of Selayar Islands, the waters of North Sulawesi, the Central and eastern Sulawesi Seas, the waters of Bitung - Sitaro Islands, southern Maluku Sea, Tomini Bay, southern waters of Biak Island, Cendrawasih Bay, western waters of Amamapre - Agats.

Then, higher waves in the range of 2.50 - 4.0 meters are likely to occur in other Indonesian waters, namely Anambas Islands - Natuna Islands, the waters of Subi Serasan Islands, Natuna Sea, the Indian Ocean south of Banten - West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), waters north of Sangihe Islands, the waters of Talaud Islands, northern Maluku Sea, northern waters of Halmahera, Halmahera Sea, northern waters of West Papua, northern waters of Biak - Jayapura - Sarmi, North Pacific Ocean of Halmahera.

The potential for high waves in some of these areas can pose a risk to shipping safety.

For this reason, Meteorology Climatology and Geophysics Council Agency (BMKG) appeals to the public to always be vigilant, especially for fishermen who operate with modes of transportation such as fishing boats (wind speed of more than 15 knots and wave height above 1.25 m), barges (wind speed of more than 16 knots and high waves above 1.5 m), ferries (wind speed more than 21 knots and wave height above 2.5 m), and large ships such as cargo ships/cruise ships (wind speed more than 27 knots and wave height above 4 m).

The BMKG urges people who live and work on the coast around areas that are prone to high waves to stay alert.