BMKG Sounds Alarm Over Dangerous Waves in Eastern Indonesia
The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has issued an early warning over the potential for high waves in several Indonesian waters from February 3 to 6, 2026.
BMKG meteorologist Mia Utami explained that wind patterns in northern Indonesia generally blow from the north to northeast at speeds ranging from 4 to 20 knots, while winds in southern regions tend to come from the west to northwest, with speeds of 4 to 30 knots.
“The strongest winds have been observed in the Flores Sea, Banda Sea, and Arafura Sea,” she said in a press release on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
According to her, these conditions may generate waves measuring 1.25 to 2.5 meters in several waters, including the northern Malacca Strait; the western Indian Ocean off the Nias Islands and Bengkulu; the northern Natuna Sea; the southern Karimata Strait; the central Java Sea; southern Banten waters; the Indian Ocean south of Central Java, East Java, and West Nusa Tenggara; as well as the Bali Sea.
Similar wave heights are also expected in the Flores Sea, southern Malacca Strait, central Sulawesi Sea, Banda Sea, and the northern and central Arafura Sea. Other affected areas include the northern Pacific Ocean off Papua, the western Indian Ocean off Aceh, the Mentawai Islands, and Lampung, the northern Karimata Strait, and the western and eastern Java Sea, including waters south of West Java, Yogyakarta, Bali, and East Nusa Tenggara, as well as the Sumbawa Sea, Bone Gulf, western and eastern Sulawesi Sea, and parts of the Arafura Sea and northern Pacific Ocean off West Papua.
“Higher waves of 2.5 to 4.0 meters are likely to occur in the Maluku Sea, the northern Pacific Ocean off Maluku, and southwestern waters of West Papua,” she added.
BMKG warned that these conditions could pose risks to maritime safety. The agency urged the public, particularly fishermen, to remain vigilant and avoid sailing when wind speeds exceed 15 knots and wave heights are above 1.25 meters.
For barges, BMKG advised avoiding operations in winds stronger than 16 knots and waves higher than 1.5 meters. Ferry operators are urged to be cautious when winds exceed 21 knots and wave heights surpass 2.5 meters.
Meanwhile, large vessels, including cargo ships and cruise liners, should remain alert to wind speeds above 27 knots and waves higher than 4.0 meters.
“We urge residents and workers in coastal areas prone to high waves to stay alert and exercise caution at all times,” she said.
Source : https://en.tempo.co/read/2082439/bmkg-warns-of-6-meter-high-waves-in-southern-east-nusa-tenggara?tracking_page_direct
