Alert! Threat Of High Waves Up To 5 Meters In NTT Waters

Illustration - Ships anchored at Larantuka Port, East Flores, NTT. BETWEEN/Fransiska Mariana Nuka

LARANTUKA - The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) issued an early warning of high waves of up to five meters in the waters of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province until April 8, 2024. "Please pay attention to the high risk to shipping safety," said Tenau Meteorological Station Head Yandri Tungga when contacted from Larantuka, East Flores Regency, Antara, Thursday, April 4. Wave heights of four to five meters are likely to occur in the Indian Ocean south of Sumba-Sabu and must be watched out for by shipping actors starting Friday, April 5. Meanwhile, wave heights of 1.25 meters to two meters are likely to occur in the southern waters of Kupang-Rote and the southern Indian Ocean of Kupang-Rote. Yandri explained that this was influenced by the seeds of tropical cyclone 96S, which is currently being observed in the southern Indian Ocean of Sumba-Sabu, causing a meeting area and wind bends in the NTT region and increasing rainfall with moderate to heavy and extreme intensity. In addition, this condition was also influenced by the active Rosby Equatorial Wave and the Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) Phenomenon. "Be aware of the presence of dark clouds or cumulonimbuses that can cause strong winds, changes in the direction of the wind, and an increase in the wave height that occurs suddenly," said Yandri. With this BMKG early warning, Yandri advised shipping service owners to always pay attention to shipping safety risks. For fishing boats, Yandri advised to pay attention to shipping conditions if the wind speed is more than 15 knots and the wave height is above 1.25 meters. For shipping by ferry, Yandri said it is important to pay attention to safety risks if the wind speed is more than 21 knots and the wave height is above 2.5 meters.

As for cargo ships or cruise ships, he advised to pay attention to weather conditions if the wind speed is more than 27 knots and the wave height is above four meters. "We ask people who live and work on the coast around areas where high waves are likely to occur to always be vigilant," he reminded.