Extreme Weather In Riau Islands Predicted Until Eid Al-Fitr 2023, Ship Operators Are Asked To Comply With Harbormaster Information

The freight transport car entered the ferry at Gilimanuk Port, Bali, Thursday, May 6, 2021. (ANTARA-Nyoman Budhiana)

KEPRI - Inter-island ship operators in the Riau Island Province (Kepri) are asked to comply with weather information submitted by the BMKG before sailing following the recent extreme weather.

"If there is a sailing ban from the BMKG regarding extreme weather, then the Port Authority and Port Authority Office/KSOP or the port manager can follow up on it with the ship operator. Because if forced to continue departing, it will be dangerous for passenger safety," said the Head of the Kepri Transportation Service (Dishub) Junaidi at Tanjungpinang, Riau Islands, Wednesday, March 1, as reported by Antara.

Junadi said that it is estimated that the extreme weather in the Riau Islands will last quite a long time, starting from November 2022 to April 2023 or the 2023 Idul Fitri moment.

He said that initially, he expected the weather conditions in the Riau Islands to return to normal after the Chinese New Year or Cap Go Meh celebrations in February 2023. However, until March 2023 it turned out that the weather was still being observed as extreme.

In general, he continued, ship shipping activities in the Riau Islands waters were running safely and smoothly. It's just that, the ship's departure schedule now often changes due to extreme weather factors.

"We also urge, if the ship is on its way hit by extreme weather, it's best to find a place or the nearest port to the anchor until the weather improves," said Junaidi.

Meanwhile, according to the BMKG Tanjungpinang forecast, extreme weather such as strong winds has the potential to occur until April 2023 which is influenced by the north wind season which will still hit the Riau Islands region.

Tanjungpinang BMKG forecaster Robby Akbar said wind speeds, especially on Bintan Island, currently reach 35 kilometers per hour, while normal wind speeds are around 25 kilometers per hour.

"The peak of strong wind speeds is predicted to occur in March 2023," he said in Tanjungpinang.

Therefore, BMKG also urges ship operators and the public who will use sea transportation to follow the latest weather developments before sailing to avoid accidents at sea triggered by extreme weather and high waves.

Likewise with people in coastal areas, so that they are aware of natural disasters due to high winds.