BMKG warns of hazardous seas in NTT waters from 7 to 10 October

Flores — The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) issued a marine warning for Indonesian waters covering 7 October 2026 at 7 a.m. Western Indonesia Time to 10 October 2026 at 7 a.m. Western Indonesia Time.

Why it matters: Sea users on routes and in waters around southern Flores, Sape Strait and wider NTT face waves of up to 3.5 metres during the warning period.

BMKG warned of moderate waves measuring 1.25 to 2.5 metres in the southern waters of East Nusa Tenggara, according to RRI. The agency also listed potential moderate waves in the southern Flores waters and the southern part of Sape Strait in a separate forecast for NTT waters on 7 October.

The NTT forecast, issued through the BMKG Tenau-Kupang station, said waves of 1.25 to 2.5 metres could also affect the Sawu Sea, Ombai Strait, southern Sumba, Sawu Jua, northern Kupang-Rote and southern Timor-Rote. Waves of 2.5 to 3.5 metres were possible in the western part of Sumba Strait.

RRI reported that the NTT conditions were expected from 8 a.m. Central Indonesia Time on 7 October into the morning of 8 October. The western Sumba Strait risk was described as a safety concern, particularly for ferry operations.

BMKG’s wider warning said wind generally ranged from 7 to 20 knots north of the equator and from 8 to 25 knots south of it. The agency linked the conditions to prevailing wind patterns across Indonesia.

BMKG said small fishing boats faced a safety risk when winds reached 15 knots and waves reached 1.25 metres. Barges faced risk at 16 knots and 1.5-metre waves, while ferries faced risk at 21 knots and 2.5-metre waves.

Separately, BMKG’s NTT office warned coastal communities from Sumba through Flores and other NTT islands about possible tidal flooding from 8 to 10 October. The warning cited the new-moon phase on 10 October as a factor that could raise maximum sea levels.

BMKG advised sea users and fishermen to follow the latest marine weather and wave information and adjust activities to prevailing conditions.

Sources

• RRI
• Tribun Flores