Weather Modification Operation Effectively Reduces Rainfall in Jakarta
Reported by Budhi Firmansyah Surapati | Translated by Nugroho Adibrata
The first stage of weather modification operations (OMC) conducted by the Jakarta Provincial Government from December 7 to 9, 2024, successfully reduced rainfall in Jakarta by up to 67 percent.
This is a joint effort to protect Jakarta from hydrometeorological disasters
The statement above was stated by Jakarta Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) Head, Marulitua Sijabat, Saturday (12/14), following the second stage of OMC held at Curug Airport in Tangerang, Banten.
For its technical operations, he collaborated with experts from BMKG.
BPBD Again Holds Weather Modification Operations"In the first stage, we did seven cloud-seeding flight sorties. The results were quite effective, reducing up to 67 percent of the rainfall that would enter Jakarta area," he expressed.
Based on the results and experience of the first stage of OMC, his party held the second stage of activities starting Friday (12/13). The second stage of OMC would be four days until Monday (12/16).
Just like the first stage of OMC, the second stage also made Budiarto Airport as an operations post. It took into account less flight traffic so that its use was more flexible to hold flight missions.
On the second day of the second phase of OMC, the team planned four flight sorties to conduct seeding to the northwest. However, the realization would be adjusted according to the results of observations and analysis from BMKG scientists involved in the operation.
"This is a joint effort to protect Jakarta from hydrometeorological disasters. Also providing a sense of security for the people of Jakarta to do activities," he asserted.
BMKG's Weather Modification Control and Monitoring Team Chair, Lutfi Fitriano asserted, his party's collaboration with Jakarta Government held OMC as a mitigation measure to anticipate the potential for quite high rainfall during the peak rainy season, December 2024 to January 2025.
Thereby, his party used the potential for clouds from outside that would enter Jakarta as an indicator for implementing flight sorties.
"Until the end of this year, cloud forming is expected to still exist, especially from December 15 to 16. Hence, we recommend increasing sorties and seeding areas," he closed.
