Optimizing Bekasi Flood Handling, BNPB Brings Pumps To Weather Modification

Head of BNPB Suharyanto (right). BETWEEN/HO - BNPB

JAKARTA - Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Suharyanto said his party was optimizing efforts to accelerate flood emergency handling in Bekasi, such as by suction using a Weather Modification Pump and Operation (OMC).

Suharyanto explained that the suction was carried out because the housing location was lower than the main road and the water channel was still experiencing problems. This was conveyed when visiting Sahara Indah Permai 3 Housing in Satria Jaya Village, North Tambun, Bekasi Regency.

"Because this area is lower than the road, it will be dry for a long time, therefore we have brought pump assistance to help suck up water to dry faster," he said in a written statement, Friday, March 7, which was confiscated by Antara.

He explained that the housing was one of the areas that had been severely affected by the flood since Tuesday, March 3.

Entering the fourth day, he said, the flood had begun to recede, leaving only a standing water as high as 30 centimeters at the front of the Strae of Sahara Indah Permai Housing 3.

In addition to extracting water using pumps, he continued, efforts to accelerate handling were also carried out by carrying out Weather Modification Operations (OMC). OMC, which has been carried out since Tuesday, March 3, he said, has had quite a positive impact on emergency handling efforts.

"Alhamdulillah, OMC which has been carried out from Tuesday to Saturday has gone well, although it cannot stop the rain, this effort can reduce rainfall in several areas," said Suharyanto.

He continued that on March 10-20, an integrated OMC will be carried out carried out by various regions, starting from the central government to local governments.

"On March 10-20, it is predicted that there will be even more heavy rain, hopefully with this integrated OMC effort it can reduce rainfall in various regions with the hope that there will be no bigger aftershocks," said Suharyanto.

In addition, Suharyanto also appealed to residents to continue to increase preparedness and vigilance, including by turning off electricity during floods. This aims to minimize the occurrence of electrocution due to short circuits and electrical short circuits that may occur during floods.