Pramono Prepares Weather Modifications If Jakarta is Affected by Extreme Drought 

JAKARTA - DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has opened the option of weather modification to bring rain if the drought continues to spread. This step was prepared following the warning from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) regarding the potential for extreme drought due to the El Nino phenomenon in Indonesia.

Pramono said the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government (Pemprov) was ready to coordinate with the BMKG regarding efforts to mitigate the impact of drought. He said the DKI Jakarta Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) had also made preparations if the situation required further handling.

"For coordination with BMKG, of course we are ready anytime it is carried out, but what is clear is that the DKI Jakarta Government through the Regional Disaster Management Agency has also made preparations if it is needed," said Pramono at the HI roundabout area, Central Jakarta, Wednesday, July 29.

According to Pramono, weather modification has so far been carried out more to reduce the intensity of rain in Jakarta, especially when facing the threat of flooding. However, in a long drought, this technology can be used to trigger rain.

"If until now we have been regulating the rain so that it does not rain, this is in time if it is really needed by the DKI Jakarta Government it will regulate so that it rains because it has been almost three weeks without rain, in some places there is drought," he said.

Pramono assessed that the impact of drought in the area around Jakarta also needed attention because it could affect the condition of the capital. The local government, he said, would see the need for intervention if the situation worsened.

"The most important thing is actually above Jakarta where there is drought, but of course this also has an impact on Jakarta. What is clear is that we are ready to do that," said Pramono.

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) stated that El Nino in Indonesia has entered the strong category. This condition increases the risk of drought and forest and land fires so that the government strengthens its anticipation steps.

"For now, the condition has entered a strong El Nino," said Faisal.

According to Faisal, BMKG prioritizes two mitigation steps. First, anticipate drought through weather modification operations to fill reservoirs. Second, reduce the risk of forest and land fires in vulnerable areas.

Weather modification operations are carried out in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), the Ministry of Forestry, local governments, and a number of other parties.

A total of six provinces are the focus of treatment, namely Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, and South Kalimantan. Operations are also carried out on a situational basis in the Riau Islands and Aceh.

BMKG noted that weather modification operations that took place throughout 2026 were able to increase rainfall by around 30 to 40 percent in certain areas.