TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) issued an early warning for high waves today in several Indonesian waters areas. BMKG forecaster, Samuel R. Adiprabowo, said that the wind pattern in northern Indonesia predominantly moves from north to northeast with 8-25 knots velocity. The wind in southern Indonesia moves from southwest to northwest at speeds ranging from 6-20 knots.

"The highest wind speeds were observed in the waters of northern Aceh, the Sulawesi Sea, the waters of the Sangihe-Talaud Islands, the Flores Sea, the Maluku Sea, the Banda Sea, and the Arafuru Sea," said Samuel in a written statement on Wednesday.

In addition to the Pacific Ocean north of Halmahera-West Papua and the North Natuna Sea, these areas have the potential for 2.5-4 meters high waves. "The high waves potential could pose a risk to shipping safety," said Samuel.

Due to the same wind pattern, the potential for 1.25-2.5 meters waves was recorded in the waters of the Anambas Islands-Natuna Islands, the Natuna Sea, the waters west of Aceh - Mentawai Islands, the waters of Enggano Island, the waters of Bengkulu - west of Lampung, and in the Indian Ocean west of Sumatra

According to BMKG, The same conditions are also likely to occur in the western and southern parts of the Sunda Strait, the southern waters of Banten-Sumba Island, the southern part of the Bali-Badung-Lombok-Alas-Sape Strait, the western part of the Sumba Strait, the southern part of the Savu Sea, the waters of Sawu Island-Kupang- Rote Island, as well as the Indian Ocean south of Java. The waves are also recorded in the Indian Ocean south of Bali, Nusa Tenggara, the waters of the Sermata-Tanimbar Islands, the waters of the Kai Islands-Aru Islands, the Arafuru Sea, and the Makassar Strait.

Additionally, 2.5 meters waves are also forecasted by BMKG to hit the waters of the Sitaro-Bitung Islands, the southern waters of North Sulawesi, the Maluku Sea, the waters of the Halmahera Islands, the Halmahera Sea, the northern waters of West Papua-Papua, and the Pacific Ocean north of West Papua-Papua.

Fishing boat owners are advised to stay vigilant to strong winds of more than 15 knots and above 1.25 meters waves. BMKG advised ferry boats to be wary of winds as strong as 21 knots and wave heights above 2.5 meters. As for cargo ships and cruise ships, it is recommended to be cautious of wind speeds of more than 27 knots and more than 4 meters of high waves.

IRSYAN HASYIM

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