Government Prepares Weather Modification Operation, Reservoirs are guarded against El Nino

Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY). (Teddy VOI)

JAKARTA - The government is preparing weather modification operations to maintain the discharge of reservoirs and lakes in the face of the potential El Nino which is expected to come sooner. This step is one of the strategies to anticipate prolonged drought.

Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) said the plan was discussed in a limited meeting chaired by the President at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, Tuesday, July 28.

"If it is really needed, of course we will coordinate with the BMKG to carry out weather modification operations so that our reservoirs still have safe water discharge, including lakes," said AHY.

According to AHY, the government must anticipate the impact of El Nino which coincides with the dry season. Water availability is a major concern because it affects household needs as well as the agricultural sector.

In addition to maintaining water supply, the government is also preparing steps to anticipate forest and land fires (karhutla).

AHY said that fire points must be controlled from the start so that they do not develop into a wider fire. Peat areas must also be kept wet to reduce the risk of fire.

"Peat land must remain in a wet condition. This is to mitigate the potential for forest fires," he said.

AHY did not explain which areas would be the priority for weather modification operations or the time of implementation. He said data on vulnerable areas would be presented at the meeting.