BNPB prepares weather modification operations to accelerate the Jatiwaringin landfill fire.

TANGERANG - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) is preparing a Weather Modification Operation (OMC) as one of the strategies to accelerate the handling of fires at the Jatiwaringin Landfill, Mauk District, Tangerang Regency, Banten. However, its implementation is still waiting for atmospheric conditions that allow the formation of artificial rain.

Entering the seventh day of handling on Tuesday, July 7, the progress of the fire extinguishing was reported to have reached about 49 percent. The joint team continues to make extinguishing efforts through land and air routes to localize the remaining fire points.

Director of Emergency Operation Control Coordination of BNPB, Brigadier General TNI Djohan Darmawan, said coordination with the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) continued to be carried out to monitor the opportunity for weather modification.

According to him, artificial rain will be immediately attempted if there are potential clouds that meet the technical requirements for seeding.

"Until now we continue to coordinate with BMKG. As soon as there is a potential cloud that meets the requirements, we will immediately apply for the implementation of Weather Modification Operations to help the extinguishing process," said Djohan in his statement, Wednesday, July 8.

While waiting for the OMC opportunity, BNPB continues to optimize the firefighting operation in the field. A total of four water bombing helicopters were deployed to reach the fire points that could not be accessed by fire trucks.

"Our obstacles have brought four water bombing helicopters to deal with sectors that cannot be touched by firefighters. So we spray through the air," he said.

On land, the joint team opened new access routes on the north and south sides of the landfill so that fire trucks could reach the fire location. Officers also made a water storage pond, laid out six to eight fire hose lanes, and used special chemical liquids to speed up the process of cooling the embers.

Djohan said the synergy between ground and air operations was the main factor in suppressing the spread of the fire.

"From below we walk, from above we also pour it for cooling to put out this fire," he said.

Even though the flames on the surface have started to diminish, the challenge now shifts to the thick smoke still coming out of the pile of garbage. Based on the results of geothermal monitoring, the inside of the garbage pile still stores high heat and produces gases that have the potential to trigger the embers to re-ignite.

"Currently, the fire on the surface is no longer visible, but the smoke is still coming out of the pile of garbage. It is possible that there is still a heat source inside because it contains gas," said Djohan.

Therefore, the joint team continues to intensively irrigate the inside of the garbage pile while waiting for the opportunity to carry out the Weather Modification Operation as an additional step to accelerate the overall extinguishing process.