The Denpasar—Bali Meteorology, Climate, and Geophysics Agency (BBMKG) warns the public of extreme weather conditions, particularly extremely high tides, along the island’s southern coastline.
As reported by NusaBali.com and baliprawara.com, high coastal waves as high as three meters washed ashore on Bali’s Kuta Beach on Thursday, 06 June 2024,
Periods of high water in Kuta lasting several days now happen on a regular cyclical basis, sending shoreside traders and chaise lounge renters scrambling for higher ground until the waters recede.
Unusually high tides and strong waves have swept ashore, submerging the seaside roadway and pedestrian walkways in Kuta Beach. Consequently, large amounts of Kuta’s white sand have been eroded or shifted to new locations.
On Wednesday, the invasive highwaters first came ashore at around 6:00 a.m., reaching a peak tide of 3 meters at around 9:39 a.m., and retreated to the ocean by 11:00 a.m..
According to Made Oka Adnyana, the Coordinator of the 4th Emergency Team (Satgas) for Kuta Beach, the rising wave and tide situation is quite extreme, even submerging his office’s parking lot.
Adnyana expected the high water situation to persist for 2-3 days. For this reason, the Stagas Chief is urging the public to remain alert and exercise caution. Additionally, he recommended that the public and tourists refrain from swimming along Kuta Beach until the high water phenomenon ends.
Officials are now using bull horns and portable speakers to warn the public to be on guard.
Meanwhile, the Head of BMKG III-Denpasar, Cahyo Nugroho stated that the unusually high tide situation would continue until 08 June 2024.
Cahyo explained that a high tide of between 0.25 and 1.25 meters is being experienced in North Bali. In South Bali, the tides are much higher, measuring 1.0 to 3.0 meters, while in Lombok’s south, the tides will range from 0.5 to 3 meters.
Press reports described sporadic panic among beachside traders and tourist visitors caused by the onslaught of the high waves.
Until the high tides subside, BMKG urges the public to remain on guard.