JAKARTA - The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government has extended the implementation time of weather modification operations (OMC) which was originally carried out for 5 days from January 13 to January 22. OMC is carried out in connection with the potential for extreme weather and increased rainfall in most parts of Indonesia in the next week.
Head of the DKI Jakarta Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Isnawa Adji revealed that the OMC will be carried out in cooperation with the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) together with the Indonesian Air Force.
"BPBD has started to carry out weather modification operations as a step to anticipate potential hydrometeorological disasters or extreme weather in Jakarta. This effort is carried out to reduce the intensity of rain in vulnerable areas," said Isnawa in Jakarta, Thursday, January 15.
Isnawa said that weather modification was important as an anticipatory step to reduce the potential for hydrometeorological disasters, especially floods and puddles that often occur during high rainfall.
According to him, the flood conditions that have hit dozens of RTs in Jakarta since January 12 are a reminder that preparedness must continue to be improved, especially when weather forecasts show the potential for continuous heavy rain.
"Weather modification operations are carried out to reduce the risk of disasters, as well as complementing other efforts that we have made, such as strengthening the readiness of pumps, dredging channels, and standby personnel in the field," said Isnawa.
Isnawa appealed to the public to remain vigilant against the potential for extreme weather, monitor official information from the BMKG and local governments, and immediately report emergency conditions through available complaint channels.
Previously, the Governor of DKI Jakarta Pramono Anung instructed the DKI BPBD to carry out weather modification for five days starting January 13. This policy was taken after considering BMKG data which was considered to show a weather pattern similar to the previous period.
"I have ordered the BPBD to modify the weather for the next five days," said Pramono.
According to Pramono, previous experience shows that without weather modification interventions, the impact of heavy rain has the potential to be greater. Therefore, this step is considered necessary to be taken again to reduce the risk of flooding in Jakarta.
Not only that, the DKI Provincial Government has also prepared a budget if weather modification operations must be extended. Pramono said the government was ready to carry out weather modification for up to 30 days if extreme weather conditions continued.
"In fact, we have budgeted for this 30 days, let's say that if we have to modify the weather every day, we will do it," he said.
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