Weather Modification, 29 Tons of Salt Sprinkled in the Sky Bali Supports the G20 Summit

The weather modification technology (TMC) operation team to anticipate extreme weather so that the G20 Summit in Bali is held. (ANTARA/HO-BMKG)

JAKARTA - The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) said that 29 tons of salt (NaCl) had been sown in the Bali sky in the operation of weather modification technology (TMC) to support the G20 Summit in Bali.

"This TMC is part of a weather mitigation scenario that is prepared to anticipate extreme weather so that the G20 Summit in Bali runs smoothly and successfully, and all heads of state and delegations can hold meetings safely and comfortably", said BMKG Head Dwikorita Karnawati in a written statement. BETWEEN, Wednesday, November 16th.

A total of 28 sorties with a total seedling material of 29 tons of salt have been sown in the sky of Bali by Cassa 212 and CN 295 aircraft in weather modification technology (TMC) operations until November 16, 2022.

The TMC operation in collaboration with BRIN, the Indonesian Air Force, the Ministry of Transportation, and the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) has been held since November 10, 2022.

The TMC activities, which are coordinated by the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, are controlled from two posts located in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, and Banyuwangi, East Java.

The TMC operation, said Dwikorita, was adjusted to the target where the seeding of condensation nuclei (salt) was carried out to the rain clouds that had been detected.

This salt seeding, he continued, was carried out so that the condensation process took place more quickly and rain could fall immediately before the rain clouds reached the location of the G20 Summit.

"BMKG's support is by providing information on wind direction, the location of the target cloud, weather predictions, and the potential for rain cloud growth during the G20 event", said Dwikorita.

Based on this information, he said, the salt sowing team from BRIN together with the Indonesian Air Force unit will follow up the information with a rain cloud seeding plan that has been previously identified by the BMKG.

"God willing, we are optimistic that with the TMC activities in Lombok and TMC in Banyuwangi, the implementation of the G20 Summit will run smoothly and successfully", he said.