BMKG warns of strong winds and waves across eight NTT areas on 16 September

Labuan Bajo — — Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) warned of **strong, dry winds up to around 50 km/h** across eight parts of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, with additional risks of fog in several highland areas and moderate to high waves in some surrounding waters. The forecast highlights weather-related risks for travel but does not, on its own, confirm that any ferry services were suspended on that date.

According to BMKG information broadcast via RRI Kupang and RRI Ende, the areas under the wind alert were **Kupang City, Kupang Regency, Rote Ndao, Sabu Raijua, West Manggarai, Manggarai, East Manggarai and Ngada**. BMKG forecasters said winds were generally expected from the east to southwest at approximately **15–50 kilometres per hour** on 16 September. Local coverage described the conditions as part of a dry-season pattern that can increase fire risk in exposed areas.

RRI’s reports from Kupang and Ende stated that, in general, NTT’s weather on 16 September would be **clear to partly cloudy in the morning**, then **clear to cloudy from afternoon into evening**, with **clear to heavily cloudy** skies overnight and a return to clear or partly cloudy conditions around dawn. BMKG also noted potential **fog at night and early morning** around Soe, Ende, Bajawa and Ruteng, which could reduce visibility for road users, especially on higher ground.

What the forecast means for travellers

The wind advisory and fog potential are broad regional forecasts, not route-specific transport decisions. According to BMKG information carried by RRI Ende, the agency also highlighted **moderate to high waves** in some NTT waters from **16–19 September 2026**, affecting coastal and marine activities. Separate BMKG maritime updates around mid-September reported wave heights ranging from about **1.25–3.5 metres** in different NTT sea areas, with stronger winds over southern routes and straits such as the Ombai Strait and waters around Sumba and Rote.

Such advisories are designed to inform local authorities, vessel operators and travellers, but a **ferry suspension is an operational decision** taken for specific routes and departure windows after officials assess conditions and safety requirements. The BMKG forecast and RRI coverage for 16 September do not state that ferries serving West Manggarai, Labuan Bajo or other NTT ports were automatically cancelled on that date.

Key forecast details for 16 September 2026 include:

• Wind: around 15–50 km/h, generally from east to southwest.
• Areas: eight NTT cities and regencies, including West Manggarai, Manggarai, East Manggarai and Ngada.
• Additional hazards: possible night and early-morning fog in Soe, Ende, Bajawa and Ruteng.
• Marine conditions: moderate to high waves in some NTT waters during 16–19 September.

How ferry decisions can differ by route

Recent examples from NTT show how ferry operators may **suspend selected routes without closing all services** during periods of bad weather. In early March 2026, PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry’s Kupang branch temporarily halted several longer crossings — including **Kupang–Larantuka, Kupang–Lembata, Kupang–Kalabahi and Kupang–Rote** — from Monday to Thursday, 2–5 March, in response to high waves and a sailing ban issued by the Kupang Harbourmaster and Port Authority. Shorter routes such as **Kupang–Hansisi (Semau Island)** were allowed to continue operating.

Media Indonesia and other national outlets reported that the Harbourmaster’s advisory instructed masters, operators and passengers to delay voyages until conditions improved and emphasised compliance with safety equipment standards and formal sailing approvals. Those March decisions underline that **distance, exposure to open seas and real-time wave heights** all influence whether a particular ferry departure is authorised or suspended.

What passengers should check

Travellers planning sea journeys in or around NTT should monitor BMKG updates before departure and then **confirm the latest sailing status directly with ferry operators and local port authorities**. BMKG and RRI provide regional forecasts and early warnings, while operational notices from ASDP, harbourmasters and transport regulators determine whether individual services — including routes serving Labuan Bajo, Rote, Alor or Flores — will run, be delayed or be cancelled on a given day.

For road travel, especially at night or early morning through Soe, Ende, Bajawa or Ruteng, drivers should take the fog risk into account and adjust speed and stopping distances to match visibility on the ground. Conditions can vary by valley, ridge and time of day even when a broad forecast mentions clear skies for much of the province.

Sources

• RRI Kupang – BMKG: Waspadai Cuaca di NTT, 16 September
• Oke Flores – NTT Masih Kemarau, BMKG Keluarkan Peringatan Dini Angin Kencang di 8 Wilayah
• Pos-Kupang – Prakiraan Cuaca BMKG NTT Rabu 16 September 2026: Mayoritas Cerah Berawan
• Metro TV News – Gelombang Tinggi, ASDP Ferry Kupang Hentikan Sementara Operasional 4 Rute Pelayaran
• Detik Bali – Cuaca Buruk, Pelayaran Ferry di NTT Ditunda hingga 5 Maret
• Media Indonesia – ASDP Hentikan Sementara Sejumlah Rute Pelayaran di NTT Akibat Cuaca Buruk