BMKG Asks For Crossing Transportation In NTT To Beware Of 3.5 Meter Waves

Illustration. Galala ferry port in Sofifi, North Maluku (Malut). (Antaranews)

NTT - The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has appealed to ferry operators to be aware of the potential for waves as high as 3.5 meters at a number of points in the sea in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

"Be aware of the potential for waves with a height of 2.5-3.5 meters, which pose a high risk to ferry shipping," said Head of the BMKG Tenau-Kupang Maritime Meteorology Station, Syaeful Hadi in a statement received in Kupang, NTT, Tuesday, July 19.

He said this was related to the weather forecast in the waters of NTT which was valid for 20-22 July 2022.

Syaeful mentioned a number of points of marine waters in NTT that have the potential to be hit by high waves, namely the western part of the Sumba Strait, the southern part of the Sawu Sea.

In addition, the Indian Ocean south of Sumba-Sabu, the southern waters of Kupang-Rote, and the southern Indian Ocean of Kupang-Rote.

Syaeful appealed to ferry operators to be aware of the potential for high waves so that they do not threaten the safety of the voyage.

Furthermore, he explained that a number of other water points are also likely to be hit by moderate waves with a height of 1.25-2.5 meters, namely the eastern part of the Sumba Strait, the Alor-Pantar Strait, the Ombai Strait, and the northern waters of Kupang-Rote.

Based on the Antara report, the potential for medium waves also needs to be watched out for because it poses a high risk to shipping, especially barges and fishing boats.

Meanwhile, synoptic conditions indicate that the wind generally blows from the Northeast to the Southeast at a speed of 1-6 on the Beaufort Scale.

He reminded ship operators and fishermen to keep updating information on weather conditions in the waters as a reference to support safe and smooth shipping activities.