BMKG Calls Tropical Cyclone Saola And Haikui The Cause Of High Sea Waves Away From Indonesia

Illustration of traditional fishermen in the south of Banten is close to the shoreline due to high waves. (Between)

JAKARTA - The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reported that the tropical cyclone Saola and Haikui in the Philippine Sea region moved away from Indonesian territory.

"The Saola and Haikui Tropical Cyclones were observed to be in the Philippine Sea, moving away from Indonesian territory," said Deputy for Meteorology of BMKG, Guswanto in Jakarta, Tuesday, August 29, as reported by Antara.

Guswanto added that the impact of the two tropical cyclones has the potential to affect sea wave heights in several Indonesian waters.

He said high waves in the range of 1.25-2.5 meters had the potential to occur in the waters of Kep. Sangihe to Kep. Talaud, Sitaro waters, Bitung waters, southern waters of North Sulawesi, Maluku Sea, waters of Kep. Halmahera, Halmahera Sea, and the northern Pacific Ocean of Halmahera.

Guswanto explained that the Saola tropical cyclone was observed in the Philippine Sea, precisely at coordinates 18.5 north latitude and 123.5 east longitude or about 1,700 km north of Tahuna moving towards the northwest away from Indonesian territory at a speed of five knots (eight km/hour), and a maximum wind speed of 85 knots (155 km/hour).

Meanwhile, the tropical cyclone Haikui, he said, was also observed in the Philippine Sea region, precisely at coordinates 18.9 North latitude and 138.0 east longitude (about 2,210 km northeast of Tahuna) moving west away from Indonesian territory at a speed of 14 knots (25 km/hour) and a maximum wind speed of 40 knots (75 km/hour).

"It is estimated that the intensity of Tropical Cyclone Saola and Haikui will increase in the next 24 hours," he said.