Jakarta carries out weather modification to prevent floods

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Jakarta Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) is carrying out the second phase of the weather modification operation from December 13–16, 2024, to prevent flooding.

The step is a follow-up effort to anticipate the high rainfall forecast by the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), which is expected to increase the risk of inundation and flooding in the Jakarta area.

"This second phase (of weather modification) is expected to be more effective in reducing high rainfall impact in Jakarta," Maruli, secretary of the Jakarta BPBD, informed here on Friday.

The first phase of the weather modification,9 which was carried out from December 7–9 helped reduce rain intensity to a maximum of 42 percent.

However, high rainfall in local areas, upstream areas, and the risk of coastal flash floods remain major concerns.

According to the BMKG, atmospheric dynamics such as the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), cyclone seeds in the Indian Ocean, and the Asian monsoon will increase rainfall in the Java region, including Jakarta.

Peak rainfall has been predicted on December 13 and 14, with moderate- to high-intensity rain expected in several areas.

Meanwhile, for the weather modification operation, aircraft will be used to spread special materials such as salt and lime (CaO) to reduce the formation of rain clouds in certain areas. This process is called cloud seeding.

Cloud seeding is being coordinated by the weather modification post at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in Jakarta and Curug Air Base in Tangerang.

The Jakarta BPBD is coordinating with the BMKG, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), and other related agencies to ensure the smooth implementation of weather modification.