BMKG: The Information On Tsunami In NTT Is Not True

Aerial photo of the impact of the flash flood that hit Adonara Island in East Flores Regency, NTT (Aditya P Putra / Antara)

JAKARTA - Head of the Tenau Meteorology Station of the Geophysical Climatology Meteorology Agency (BMKG) Syaeful Hadi said the information circulating in the community that a tsunami would occur in the NTT region was false news.

"The news (of a tsunami in NTT) was not true and BMKG never made the news," he said as reported by Antara, Wednesday, April 7, responding to information about a tsunami that would occur in the NTT region and disturb the community.

As a result of this incorrect information, residents in the coastal area of Kupang City ran from their homes to a shelter in an elevated area on Wednesday, April 6 in the morning.

Syaeful said the information was not true and the phenomenon that occurs is high waves that are likely to occur in a number of NTT waters.

He said that waves as high as 1.25-1.5 meters are likely to occur in the southern part of Sape Strait, western Sumba Strait, Savu Sea, Ombai Strait, northern waters of Kupang and Rote Ndao.

Wave height of 2.5-4 meters is likely to occur in the southern waters of Kupang and Rote Ndao, the Indian Ocean south of Kupang and Rote Ndao.

In addition, the wave height of 4-6 meters is likely to occur in the Indian Ocean south of Sumba and Sabu Raijua.

Syafeul said that due to high waves and significant rainfall it could affect coastal dynamics in the NTT region.

Therefore, Syaeful appealed to the people of the coastal areas of Kupang City and other potentially affected areas to be aware of the coastal flood phenomenon (rob).

"We will also continue to coordinate with BPBD and the local government to calm the residents," he said.