BNPB Holds Weather Modification Operations In East Java And West Java To Anticipate Extreme Weather

BNPB officers made modifications to reorganize extreme weather (doc BNPB)

JAKARTA The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has again held a Weather Modification Operation (OMC) to anticipate the impact of extreme weather in a number of areas. Since Saturday, September 13, a unit of Cessna Caravan PK-DPI aircraft has been deployed from the Juanda Navy Air Base to carry out OMC in the East Java sky.

The operation, which is scheduled to last until Tuesday (16/9), includes seeding in Lamongan, Bojonegoro, Tuban, as well as southern and eastern waters of Banyuwangi. BNPB noted that 800 kilograms of NaCl and 1,600 kilograms of CaO have been used in this operation.

Meanwhile, OMC in West Java is centered from Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, Jakarta, using the Cessna Caravan PK-YNA aircraft. On Sunday, September 14, two flight figures were carried out with the seeding of 800 kilograms of NaCl and 800 kilograms of CaO in the sky of Pandeglang and Bogor.

The results of BMKG radar monitoring until 19.00 WIB show that OMC intervention in West Java is able to reduce the rainfall of the Jabodetabek area by 31 percent compared to predictions without intervention.

Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center Abdul Muhari said this operation was part of preparedness to face flood threats due to extreme weather.

"We urge local governments and the community to maintain environmental cleanliness, normalize drainage, and be aware of flood risks," he said.

Previously, the track record of OMC in Jabodetabek also showed significant effectiveness. In March 2025, BNPB and BMKG carried out operations for two weeks with 56 flight terms and the use of 52 tons of NaCl and 4 tons of CaO.

As a result, the number of people affected by the disaster in West Java fell drastically from more than 231,000 people to around 15 thousand people, or a decrease of 92 percent.

In July 2025, a similar operation was carried out again in Jabodetabek. In five days, BNPB recorded a rain intensity of 30 60 percent compared to the period before the operation. A total of 18 pieces of flight were carried out with a total of 16 tons of material.

"The effectiveness of previous operations is the basis for the evaluation and development of OMC today. With the right intervention, the risk of flooding can be significantly reduced," added Abdul Muhari.

BNPB ensures that operations in East Java and West Java will be evaluated periodically. If necessary, operations can be extended according to weather conditions and monitoring results in the field.