Potential Wave 4 Meters South Of West Java To DIY, BMKG Asks Tourists To Alert Beach

Illustration of traditional fishermen looking at high sea waves. (Between)

JAKARTA - The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has asked residents, tourists and fishermen to be aware of the potential for high waves reaching 4 meters in the southern sea of West Java (Jabar), Central Java (Central Java) and the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY).

"It has a potential to reach the range of 2.5-4 meters. So it is categorized as high," said Head of the BMKG Technician Group at the Tunggul Wulung Cilacap Meteorological Station, Teguh Wardoyo, in Cilacap, Central Java, quoted from Antara, Friday, October 21.

Therefore, he said, his party on Friday, October 21 issued a high-wave early warning that is valid until Saturday, October 22, and will be updated soon if further developments are made.

"In the early warning, wave heights throughout the southern waters of West Java to DIY, both Cianjur, Garut, Tasikmalaya, Pangandaran, Cilacap, Kebumen, Purworejo, and Yogyakarta have the potential to reach the range of 2.5-4 meters," he said.

He explained that the increase in wave height was influenced by wind patterns in the southern part of Indonesia, which predominantly moved from east to southeast with wind speeds ranging from 6-25 knots.

According to him, the wind movement pattern, which tends to be in a direction with high speed, can trigger an increase in sea wave height.

Teguh said that wave heights of 2.5-4 meters also have the potential to occur in the Indian Ocean south of West Java to DIY.

In this regard, Teguh appealed to all marine service users to pay attention to the high risk of waves to shipping safety before leaving for the sea.

In this case, wind speeds of more than 15 knots and wave heights above 1.25 meters are at risk for fishing boats, wind speeds of more than 16 knots and wave heights above 1.5 meters at risk for barges.

Furthermore, wind speeds of more than 21 knots and wave heights above 2.5 meters are at risk for ferries, as well as wind speeds of more than 27 knots and wave heights above 4 meters at risk for large ships such as cargo ships and cruise ships.

"For people who travel on the beach, especially coastal areas that are directly connected to the high seas, they should not take a shower or play water on the beach because high waves can come at any time," he concluded.