Indonesian Waters Alert! 4 Meter High Waves In Early 2024

High wave illustration (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) appealed to the public to be aware of the potential for high waves of up to four meters in several Indonesian waters from December 31, 2023 to January 1, 2024.

"We ask people who live and work on the coast around areas where high waves are likely to occur to remain vigilant," said Head of the Maritime Meteorology Center, BMKG Eko Prasetyo, quoted by ANTARA, Saturday, December 30.

He said the wind pattern in northern Indonesia generally moves from northeast-east with wind speeds ranging from 4-20 knots, while in southern Indonesia it generally moves from east-east at a speed of 4-25 knots.

"The highest wind speed was observed in the Indian Ocean west of Lampung to the south of Banten," he explained.

Eko Prasetyo said this condition caused an opportunity to increase waves as high as 1.25-2.5 meters in the waters north of Sabang, the western waters of Aceh, the western waters of P. Simeulue to the Mentawai Islands, the waters of Enggano Island, the waters of Bengkulu to the west of Lampung, the Indian Ocean. West Aceh to the Mentawai Islands.

In addition, the western and southern Sunda Straits, southern waters of Banten to East Java, the Bali-Badung-Lombok-Alas-Sape Strait, the western Sumba Strait, the southern part of the Savu Sea, the South Indian Ocean, Java to Sumba Island.

Then, the North Natuna Sea, the waters of the Anambas Islands to the Natuna Islands, the waters of the Subi Islands to the Serasan Islands, the northern waters of Sambas, the Natuna Sea, the eastern Sulawesi Sea, the waters of the Sangihe Islands to the Talaud Islands, the waters of the Sitaro Islands, the northern Maluku Sea, the northern waters of Halmahera, the Halmahera Sea, and the northern Pacific Ocean of Halmahera to Biak.

For higher waves in the range of 2.5-4 meters, it is said that there is a chance that it will occur in the Indian Ocean west of Bengkulu to Lampung.

With the potential for high waves, Eko Prasetyo also appealed to the public, especially fishermen, to pay attention to the high risk of shipping safety, such as fishing boat transportation modes (wind speeds of more than 15 knots and wave heights above 1.25 m), barges (wind speeds of more than 16 knots and wave heights above 1.5 m).

Then, ferries (wind speeds of more than 21 knots and wave heights above 2.5 m). And large ships such as cargo ships/cruise ships (wind speeds of more than 27 knots and wave heights above four meters).