In Bali, the moon is one of the most important influences on island life. To this day, Balinese people will conduct special prayers and ceremonies on tilem, the new moon, and purnama, the full moon.
This week’s new supermoon will be honored with special prayers in nearly every household in the land, and the moon is also set to have a huge effect on the tides.
The Denpasar Region III Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BBMKG) has issued an early warning for the potential for extreme ocean tides in six coastal areas of Bali during the new supermoon period, which will last until 22nd May.
The new supermoon started on the 17th May, though the impact on the tides will be felt for days to come. A supermoon occurs when a new moon or full moon occurs when the moon is at its closest to Earth in its orbit. The moon’s closest point to Earth in its orbit is called the perigee. During a full supermoon, the moon appears slightly larger than usual, but since this is a new moon, there’s sadly nothing to see.
While there may be nothing to see in terms of the moon in the sky, its influence can certainly be observed down on the coast. Since the moon’s orbit controls the tides, this new supermoon is resulting in huge tidal fluctuations all across the southern coast of Bali.
The six regions of Bali issued with extreme tidal warnings by the BBMKG are the southern coast of Jembrana, the southern coast of Tabanan Regency, the coast of Badung Regency, the coast of Denpasar City, the coast of Gianyar Regency, and the southern coast of Klungkung Regency.
For The Bali Sun readers who are unfamiliar with the different regions of Bali, the extreme tide warnings are in place across many of the island’s most popular tourist resorts and vacation destinations, including, Tanah Lot, Seseh, Canggu, Seminyak, Legian, Kuta, Jimbaran, Uluwatu, Ungasan, Kutuh, Sanur, Keramas and the outlying islands of Nusa Penida, Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Lembongan.
The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has explained that this phenomenon has the potential to increase maximum sea levels across coastal areas of Bali. The potential for coastal flooding, also known as tidal flooding, is set to vary day by day and hour by hour over this new supermoon period in each region of the province.
Cahyo Nugroho, Head of BMKG Region III Denpasar, has urged the public to increase their vigilance in terms of the impacts of this maximum sea level rise, especially in top tourism areas.
Nugroho explained, “The potential for coastal flooding varies in time in each region, which generally impacts community activities around ports and coastlines.”
Bali residents living or working in coastal areas are urged to remain vigilant and ready to anticipate the impact of maximum sea levels. All those who are heading out to sea, including those traveling by fast boat and ferry, are reminded to regularly monitor maritime weather updates from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).
Tourists can stay on the beat with the latest updates from the BMKG through its official services, including its Instagram account, where tourist weather updates are issued daily in English.
Tourists traveling to Bali’s southern beaches over the next week should be extra mindful of the conditions before entering the water.
It is advisable to only enter the water at spots where lifeguards are on duty. Last week, Bali’s lifeguards took part in an intensive training course to level up their skills to help keep beachgoers safe.
Bali Supermoon Alert
Speaking to reporters, Ni Putu Sastra, Head of the Badung Lifeguard Unit (UPTD) for South Kuta, sang the praises of the Badung Lifeguards for their commitment and bravery.
She shared, “It requires strong skills, mental fortitude, and emotional resilience. Therefore, we continue to strive for training to maintain the physical and mental readiness of our members so they are always at their best while on duty.”
Adding “We remain committed to maintaining the quality of our human resources through independent training, as [lifeguarding team] members are very enthusiastic about participating in programs like this.”
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