BNPB Holds Weather Modification to Minimize Flooding

BANJARMASIN - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) carried out weather modification operations (OMC) in South Kalimantan Province (Kalsel) to reduce high-intensity rainfall to minimize the floods that are still affecting a number of regencies/cities in the province.

BNPB Emergency Resources Support Director Agus Riyanto said this OMC was carried out after the West Kalimantan Provincial Government issued an emergency standby status and several districts/cities such as Balangan had established an emergency response status.

"Because the regional government in South Kalimantan has set the emergency standby and emergency response status, the OMC uses ready-to-use funds. This OMC is a collaboration between BNPB and BMKG, Air Base, Angkasa Pura, Airnav, and local governments," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Friday, January 9.

Agus explained that the OMC would be carried out from tonight until the next five days according to the assignment instructions, and would be evaluated twice a day during the implementation, or adjusted according to the operational plan.

"At the post (Syamsudin Noor Air Base Banjarbaru), there will be an operational map that is layered with the existing map of the area where there are still flood puddles," he said.

On the map, he said, it will be marked which areas are being tried not to rain for a while.

Agus said the OMC team came from Juanda Airport, Surabaya, taking a journey time to Syamsudin Noor Air Base, Banjarbaru, about 1.5 hours.

"This evening the OMC team, hopefully with the efforts of this OMC technology can reduce rainfall and even clear the clouds to accelerate the reduction of water levels in flood-affected areas in South Kalimantan," he said.

Agus also appealed to the public to obey the information or appeals of officers if there is an evacuation order and not believe in news that has not been validated.