BMKG Warns of Nearly 6-meter-high Sea Waves in North Maluku

TEMPO.CO, Ternate - The Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) has urged people in North Maluku, especially sea transportation passengers, to be wary of high waves potentially reaching four to six meters high in the North Halmahera waters.

"We call to exercise caution with regard to several shipping activities to and from various regions in North Maluku in the wake of high waves at sea that could reach up to six meters," Ternate BMKG forecaster Sultan Baabullah Ternate Justia Prislly D. stated here on Saturday.

In the wake of bad weather accompanied by high waves in the waters in recent days, shipping activities, especially those using small vessels, have been held up.

Moreover, Prislly reminded that in the subsequent two days, heavy rains accompanied by blustery winds could likely occur in Jailolo, Sidangoli, Ternate, Tidore, Galela, Tobelo, and Morotai areas and across North Maluku, with temperatures ranging between 23 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius, humidity of 65-100 percent, winds from the southwest-north at speeds of 5-40 km/hour, and early warning of potential surface winds of up to 50 km/hour.

Extreme weather conditions can also be experienced in Jailolo, West Halmahera, Ternate, Tidore, Kao, Maba, Weda, Bacan, Kasiruta Island, and the adjoining areas.

Head of the Sailing Safety, Guard and Patrol of the Ternate Harbormaster and Port Authority (KSOP), Miraza A. P., had earlier pointed to a delay in inter-island shipping activities from Ternate to various other areas owing to bad weather.

"Based on recommendation of the local BMKG, extreme weather, accompanied by strong winds and high waves, is very dangerous for safety, especially for small boat users, as the sea waves reach four to six meters," he remarked.

Hence, shipping activities from Ternate to various areas, such as Batang Dua Island, have not been allowed.

Sailing with pioneer ships, ASDP-owned ferries and folk ships headed for Ternate-Batang Dua and Bitung City have also not been permitted to operate to prevent accidents at sea due to high waves.

Meanwhile, several speedboat passengers heading to Ternate-Makian, South Halmahera Regency, were left with no choice but to postpone their departure following high waves around these waters.

Read: BMKG Keeps Eye on Two Recent Megathrust Earthquakes in NTB

ANTARA