Jakarta Diguyur Hujan Deras, Pemprov DKI Bakal Modified Weather 25 Hari Depan

JAKARTA - The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government is preparing to carry out weather modification operations (OMC) in the next 25 days. This step was taken following the increasing intensity of heavy rain and the potential for extreme weather that hit the capital city in the last few days.

DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung said his party had coordinated with the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) and the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) for the implementation of OMC.

"We have also coordinated intensively with the BMKG so that the DKI Jakarta BPBD can carry out weather modification operations. So starting today we, starting yesterday we have actually collaborated with the BMKG and also with the National Disaster Management Agency to carry out weather modifications," said Pramono at DKI Jakarta City Hall, Friday, October 31.

According to him, the budget for this activity has been prepared. Local governments will immediately seed the clouds whenever the potential for rainfall reaches a certain threshold.

"We have prepared the budget because there is a possibility that in the next 25 days there will be anomalies and extreme weather. Yes, the budget is there, but what is clear is that in the next 25 days every time there is a possibility of rainfall above 200 or 150, we will make modifications to the weather," he said.

In addition to the threat of extreme rain, Pramono is also aware of the potential for tidal flooding that is expected to occur in early November. He hopes that three sources of flooding will not occur in Jakarta simultaneously.

"There is also the possibility of tidal flooding, the 6th, 7.8th. So that, hopefully, when that happens, there will not be simultaneous floods, tidal flooding, and local flooding that have occurred so far," he said.

On that occasion, Pramono explained that the extreme weather that occurred on Thursday, October 30, caused a number of trees to fall at various points in Jakarta. Pramono said that at least 10 trees had fallen due to heavy rain and strong winds.

"Until 22.00 and I continued to monitor directly, 10 trees fell at the location, namely in Central Jakarta one, two in South Jakarta, and seven in East Jakarta. There were 10 trees that fell," said Pramono.

The incident caused damage to a number of public facilities and residents' vehicles. "As a result of the incident, at least it caused damage to seven four-wheeled vehicles, two kiosks, one resident post, two electric cables, one road sign, one roof of SD Negeri 04 Dukuh School, one internet cable, and one goat cage," he continued.

Pramono ensured that all victims, both injured and dead, would receive full assistance from the local government.

"The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government is responsible, especially for victims who died and also those who were injured, all of the handling costs are fully borne by the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government," he said.

To prevent similar incidents, the DKI Jakarta Parks and Forestry Service was asked to increase the intensity of tree insertion during the rainy season. The support previously carried out every Wednesday will now be carried out every day. By the end of October, 5,722 trees had their health checked and 62,161 trees had been dropped.

"The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government will also take extraordinary steps to cover trees every day throughout Jakarta during the rainy season and this flood season, and will be carried out from 10:00 to 02.00 pm every day, so as not to interfere with traffic traffic in Jakarta. Trees whose conditions are not healthy will be trimmed," he added.