Anticipating Rain Intensity, BNPB Extends Weather Modification Operations

JAKARTA - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has extended weather modification operations (OMC) in the Jabodetabek area for the next two days.

The first phase of OMC, which was originally scheduled for March 4-8, 2025, has now been extended to March 10, 2025. This was decided after considering the weather forecast on March 9-10, 2025, which shows the potential for an increase in the growth of rain clouds.

"This can also have an impact on rain with moderate to heavy intensity in most parts of Java Island. During this period, strong winds are also expected to occur in several areas," explained Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center Abdul Muhari.

During the five-day implementation (4-8 March 2025), the weather modification operation centered at Halim Perdanakusumah Airfield, East Jakarta, has completed 26 flight sorties with a total flight time of 50 hours 17 minutes.

A total of 22 tons of sodium chloride (NaCl) and 4 tons of calcium oxide (CaO) have been emitted in the skies of West Java and its surroundings.

Then on March 8, 2025, flight activities were carried out in six sorties targeting the waters north of West Java around Karawang and Cirebon, as well as the Citarum watershed to reduce the supply of rain clouds moving towards West Java Province.

The results from OMC on that date, which spent 6,000 kilograms of NaCl, were observed to produce light rain in the northern, eastern, and central regions of West Java.

Meanwhile, moderate-intensity rain (50 millimeters) occurred in the waters and was successfully distributed before entering the mainland of South Java, such as Sukabumi.

This weather modification operation or OMC is one of the efforts to reduce rainfall that has the potential to fall in the Greater Jakarta area, in order to minimize the risk of aftershocks and accelerate the emergency response process in the area. As well as the commitment of the central government in mitigating hydrometeorological disasters due to high rainfall that can trigger floods and landslides in various regions.