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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Disasters & Emergencies

BMKG Warns of 4-Meter Waves in Indian Ocean

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Context piece
  • Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has issued a high-wave warning for various Indonesian waters from June 4-8, 2026.
  • Waves ranging from 1.25 to 2.5 meters are expected in several areas, with higher waves of 2.5 to 4.0 meters predicted for the Indian Ocean south of Sumatra and Java.
  • BMKG advises caution for all maritime activities, providing specific warnings for different vessel types based on wind speed and wave height.

The Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has issued an early warning for high waves potentially affecting several Indonesian waters between June 4 and June 8, 2026. The agency cited prevailing wind patterns as the cause for the expected sea conditions.

The highest wind speeds were observed in the northern Malacca Strait, the southern Indian Ocean from Banten to NTT, the central Makassar Strait and Banda, and the western and central Arafura Sea.

— Estri DiniyantiBMKG forecaster Estri Diniyanti described the wind conditions contributing to the high waves.

According to BMKG forecaster Estri Diniyanti, wind patterns in northern Indonesia are generally moving from the southeast to the southwest at speeds of 5 to 27 knots. In contrast, winds in the southern parts of the archipelago are primarily moving from the east to the southeast, with speeds ranging from 6 to 24 knots. The highest wind speeds were observed in specific areas like the northern Malacca Strait and the southern Indian Ocean off Banten and Nusa Tenggara.

These wind conditions are expected to generate waves between 1.25 and 2.5 meters in numerous locations. These include the northern Malacca Strait, the western Indian Ocean off Aceh and Mentawai Islands, the southern Indian Ocean off NTT, and various parts of the Java Sea, Bali Sea, and Banda Sea, among others. More significantly, waves reaching heights of 2.5 to 4.0 meters are predicted for the western Indian Ocean off Bengkulu and Lampung, and the southern Indian Ocean stretching from Banten to East Java, Bali, and NTB.

The potential for high waves in several of these areas can pose risks to the safety of shipping.

— Estri DiniyantiDiniyanti highlighted the dangers associated with the predicted wave heights.

BMKG emphasized that these high waves pose a risk to maritime safety. The agency strongly advises vigilance, particularly for fishermen using small boats, who should be wary of wind speeds exceeding 15 knots and wave heights above 1.25 meters. Larger vessels like barges and ferries are also given specific thresholds for wind speed and wave height to avoid. Residents living and active near coastal areas prone to high waves are also urged to remain cautious.

It is requested that people living and active in coastal areas around the areas where high waves are possible remain always vigilant.

— BMKGBMKG issued a general warning to coastal residents.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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