Kupang (ANTARA News) - The waves in the Arafuru Barat waters in Rote Strait and the coastal beach of Sumbawa Strait according to an observation and aerial satellite photo had reached 5 meters high and dangerous to ferry boats.

"Everybody needs to pay serious attention to this condition, particularly navigators, fishermen and general public wishing to travel by sea," head of the observation and information division of the meteorological station El Tari in Kupang Mohammad Syaeful Hadi said in Kupang Monday.

He said the height of the waves in the Arafuru Barat waters, Rote Strait and Laut Timor as well as the southern coast of Sumbawa, Rote Strait and Arafuru Barat reached 3 to 5 meters high, followed by Sumba Straity 3-4 meters high.

Waves of such heights are dangerous to crossing.

"The high waves are triggered by strong winds blowing at a speed of 25-34 knots which are not save," he said.

"The current air pressure in Australia reached 1.034 millibars (MB), while in the Asian region there are still centers of low pressure , so that the wind blowing passed East Nusa Tenggara is quite strong.

And this triggered high waves in Flores Sea reaching 2-3,5 meters, in Sape Strait 2-3 meters and in Ombai Strait 1-2 meters.

"The wind in Timor Sea may blow from the east to southeast at a a velocity of 15 to 25 knots and from the north to southeast at a speed of 15 to 30 knots," he said.

The weather in East Nusa Tenggara is generally clear and rather cloudy, with the temperature reaching 23 - 32 degrees Celsius and a humidity of 48 - 80 pct. (*)

Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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