Overcoming Bad Weather To Prevent Evacuation, BNPB Modified Weather In West Sumatra
JAKARTA - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has carried out weather modification technology (TMC) operations in West Sumatra starting today.
Head of BNPB Disaster Data and Communication Center Abdul Muhari said that TMC was carried out to make it easier for officers to evacuate and repair post-flood infrastructure facilities in West Sumatra.
"This weather modification technology operation was carried out as an effort to accelerate the emergency handling of cold lava floods and landslides that occurred in several districts and cities in the West Sumatra Province," Abdul Muhari said in his statement, Wednesday, May 15.
Abdul Muhari admitted that the bad weather that still hit West Sumatra often hampered the post-disaster emergency handling process. According to the BMKG, the area still has the potential for light rain to heavy rain.
The TMC operation in West Sumatra was carried out in coordination with BNPB, BMKG, Indonesian Air Force, West Sumatra Provincial Government and other related parties, BNPB will use a Grand Caravan 208 C aircraft with the hull number PK-SNN from Minangkabau Airport.
"Today, the TMC operation is planned to be carried out as many as 2 flight sorties which will start at 13.30 WIB with 1 ton of Sodium Choride (NaCl) on each of its sorties, so the total material for the West Sumatra TMC operation today is 2 tons," he explained.
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A number of sub-districts in Agam, Tanah Datar, and Padang Panjang districts were hit by floods mixed with lava material on Saturday, May 11 evening. Then on Monday, May 13, the disaster hit Padang Pariaman and Padang.
As for the latest data based on the BNPB Center for Control and Operations (Pusdalops) report today as of 18.35 WIB, the number of victims who died due to the West Sumatra flash flood was recorded at 58 people.
Meanwhile, the missing victims increased from 27 to 35 people in the search. In addition, 1,543 families were affected and 33 people were injured.