Government Modified Weather Presses Rainfall And Potential Koto Cyclone In Sumatra

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) Pratikno said the government had made efforts to modify the weather to reduce rainfall in flood locations in Sumatra and Aceh.

This is done so that the flood can recede quickly so that the evacuation process can run optimally.

"We are carrying out a weather modification operation. We can start to be flown to reduce rainfall on the mainland, so that later we will bring rainfall to the ocean," said Pratikno when met by the media crew at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, East Jakarta, Friday, confiscated by Antara.

According to Pratikno, originally the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) estimated that there would be a Senyar tropical cyclone in the Sumatra region.

The Senyar tropical cyclone itself is a natural phenomenon that causes high rainfall accompanied by extreme heavy winds.

Later, said Pratikno, the Senyar tropical cyclone had subsided, so the government carried out weather management operations to encourage rain towards the sea.

"And then we anticipate because there is a Koto cyclone, but the place is in the North (Sumatran island). We are still vigilant, we hope he will not enter mainland Indonesia," explained Pratikno.

At the same time, the government is also intensively sending logistical assistance to flood locations in North Sumatra, West Sumatra and Aceh.

As today, the government deployed four Indonesian Air Force aircraft such as three Hercules C-130 and A400M transport aircraft to carry logistics from Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base.

Pratikno ensured that the logistical assistance arrived at the flood site quickly in order to meet the needs of the victims at the location.

At the same time, Cabinet Secretary (Seskab) Teddy Indra Wijaya explained that the types of assistance sent today include refugee tents, rubber boats, generators for electricity needs to communication aids.

"There were tents around 150, then there was a rubber boat because it was very important for the evacuation there were around 64. Then the generator (electric aid). About 100 communication tools were dispatched there so that communication signals could be restarted," said Teddy.

Not only that, the government also sends ready-to-eat food, health workers and medicines for flood victims' needs.

Teddy continued, the assistance would later be taken down at the nearest airport from the flood site to be further distributed by land or air by helicopter.

"So (assistance) will go to Padang, West Sumatra, then to the nearest airport in Tapanuli, precisely later to Silangit Airport, North Sumatra, then one to the airport in Banda Aceh and Lhokseumawe (North Aceh) because it is the closest airport to the affected location," he explained.

Teddy ensured that the delivery of aid to the three locations would be carried out simultaneously until the situation in the three flood locations was conducive.