The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has forecast very high waves of up to six meters in the Indian Ocean, south of Central Java and the Special Region of Yogyakarta on December 23-24, 2022.

“While high waves in the Indian Ocean, south of West Java, in the same period are predicted to reach 2.5-four meters or in the high category,” Head of the BMKG Technician Group at Tunggul Wulung Cilacap Meteorological Station Teguh Wardoyo stated here on Friday.

Wardoyo noted that high waves of around 2.5-four meters also have the potential to occur in the southern waters of West Java, Central Java, and Yogyakarta.

He said the increase in high waves was triggered by the dominant wind pattern moving from the southwest-northwest at a speed of around 8-30 knots.

He explained that the pattern of wind movement tends to be in the same direction, triggering an increase in the height of sea waves.

“At the moment, the westerly wind season is also underway, and high to very high waves will often occur,” he explained.

To this end, Wardoyo said the BMKG had issued an early warning of high waves that was valid for December 23-24, 2022, and would be updated soon if there were further developments.

He appealed to all sea service users to pay attention to the risk of high waves and wind speeds for shipping safety, with wind speeds of over 15 knots and high waves above 1.25 meters that put fishing boats at risk.

Thereafter, wind speeds of over 16 knots and high waves above 1.5 meters pose a risk to barges, wind speeds of over 21 knots and high waves above 2.5 meters pose a risk to ferries.

Meanwhile, wind speeds of more than 27 knots and high waves above four meters pose a risk to large vessels, such as cargo and cruise ships.

Moreover, people traveling on the beach are also advised to not swim or play in the beach, as high waves can arise at any time, Wradoyo noted.

Source: Antara News