BMKG Warns of High Waves and Tidal Flooding During Eid Holiday Travel Period

Jakarta — The Head of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), Teuku Faisal Fathani, has disclosed the potential for rising ocean wave heights and tidal flooding during the Eid 2026 outbound and return travel period.

Faisal stated that moderate wave heights are expected to occur in several Indonesian waters from March to April 2026.

“We are also conveying the wave height climatology for March and April. For March, this concerns the Indian Ocean west of Aceh to Lampung, the southern Sunda Strait, the Indian Ocean area from Banten to East Nusa Tenggara, and the northern Pacific Ocean to Papua, where moderate waves of 1.25 to 2.5 metres are anticipated,” said Faisal during a coordination meeting for preparations for the 2026 Eid travel period at the Indonesian Parliament building on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.

Faisal continued that wave heights are expected to decrease in April 2026, although moderate wave potential will persist in several maritime regions.

“These moderate waves will occur in the western Indian Ocean area from Aceh to Lampung, the southern Sunda Strait, and the southern Indian Ocean from Banten to Nusa Tenggara,” he explained.

According to Faisal, this potential is driven by the new moon phenomenon on 19 March and the perigee phenomenon, which is a condition when the moon is at its closest distance to Earth.

“There is also potential for tidal flooding due to the new moon on 19 March and the perigee phenomenon where the moon’s closest distance to Earth occurs on 22 March. This has the potential to increase maximum sea levels and therefore poses a risk of tidal flooding in coastal areas across Indonesia,” Faisal said.

The return travel period is expected to peak on 24 and 25 March, with a second peak on 28 and 29 March.