The Bali-Lombok Strait Potentially Hit By Waves As High As 4 Meters, BMKG Asks Ferry Passengers To Be Alert

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

JAKARTA - The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) appealed to coastal communities to be aware of the potential for high waves of up to four meters in several Indonesian waters.

"We ask people who live and work on the coast around areas where high waves are likely to occur to remain vigilant," said Head of the Maritime Meteorology Center, BMKG, Eko Prasetyo, Monday, January 9, as reported by Antara.

He added that the high wave had the potential to occur on January 9-10, 2023, triggered by wind patterns in the northern part of Indonesia, which predominantly moved from the Southwest-West of the Sea with wind speeds ranging from 5-20 knots, while in the southern part of Indonesia it was dominantly moving from Southwest-West. Sea with wind speeds ranging from 5-20 knots.

"The highest wind speed was observed in the western waters of Enggano-Lampung, the Sulawesi Sea and the northern waters of West Papua," he said. This condition, he continued, led to an opportunity to increase waves as high as 1.25-2.5 meters in the northern waters of Sabang, the western waters of Aceh, the western waters of P. Simeulue-Kep. Mentawai, the waters of Bengkulu, the West Indian Ocean Aceh-Kep. Mentawai, the Sumba Strait, the waters of P. Sawu-Rote, the Savu Sea, the southern waters of Flores, the Timor Sea, the North Natuna Sea, the waters of Kep. Natuna-Kep. Natuna Sea, the waters of Sangihe-Kep. Talaud, Maluku Sea, the northern and western waters of Halmahera, the northern waters of West Papua-Papua, the North Pacific Ocean, West Papua-Papua Sea.

For waves in the higher range of 2.5-4 meters, it is likely to occur in the waters of Enggano-barat Lampung, West Indian Ocean Bengkulu-Lampung, western and southern Sunda Strait, southern Banten-P waters. Sumbawa, South Indian Ocean Java-NTB, southern Bali-Lombok-Alas Strait.

He reminded that this condition needs to pay attention to high risks to shipping safety such as fishing boats (wind speeds of more than 15 knots and wave heights above 1.25 m), barges (wind speeds of more than 16 knots and wave heights above 1.5 m), ferries (wind speeds of more than 21 knots and wave height above 2.5 m).

In addition, large ships such as cargo ships or cruise ships (wind speeds of more than 27 knots and wave heights above 4 meters).