BMKG: Angin Monsun Asia Causes High Waves In The Waters Of The Riau Islands

The fishing gear or traditional fishing gear belonging to fishermen in the Riau Islands had to be landed due to high waves. (Between/Nikolas Pama)

JAKARTA - The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) said the winds of the Asian Monsoon triggered high sea waves in the Riau Islands (Kepri), Sunday.

BMKG Tanjungpinang forecaster Diana Siregar said Sunday that the Asian Monsoon is predicted to be active until mid-March 2023. The Asian Monsoon is a wind moving from the west carrying more air masses.

Asian Monsoons not only cause high waves, but also strong winds and heavy rain. Therefore, today there is heavy rain in several areas in Riau Islands after a few weeks of not having rained.

"The wind speed currently reaches 35 kilometers per hour," he said as quoted by Antara.

In the past week, he said, the maximum wind speed, high waves, and tides were caused by the phenomenon of "Super New Moon", but now it is caused by the Asian Monsoon.

Diana said high sea waves occurred in the waters of Bintan and Tanjungpinang reaching 3 meters, an increase compared to a day ago 2.5 meters. Extreme weather occurred in a number of coastal areas in the Anambas Islands and Natuna. The sea wave height in Anambas and Natuna reaches 6 meters.

"Bad weather is also triggered by the growth of cumulonimbus clouds, towering thick clouds. These clouds cause heavy rain accompanied by lightning, strong winds, and high waves," he said.

Diana appealed to coastal communities to be aware of extreme weather that has the potential to occur until mid-March 2023. People should not swim in the sea when waves are high with strong winds.

Users of sea transportation must also be aware of high sea waves, strong winds and heavy rain in the waters of Bintan, Tanjungpinang, Natuna, and Anambas.

He also appealed to fishermen, especially those who use small boats, not to go to sea when the weather is bad.

"Residents who live on the coasts of Bintan, Tanjungpinang, Natuna, and Anambas should be aware of the bad weather, especially when cumulonimbus clouds appear," he said.