BMKG Semai Garam Prevents Bad Weather From Hitting The Location Of The ASEAN Summit In Labuan Bajo

Illustration. Weather Modification Technology Operation (TMC) at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, Jakarta on January 3, 2020. (Between)

NTT- The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) conducted a weather modification technology operation or TMC to anticipate bad weather during the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

The TMC operation was carried out with the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) and the Indonesian Air Force.

"This TMC operation is to anticipate bad weather during the 42nd ASEAN Summit considering that there are several events that will be held outside the room such as a welcoming dinner for ASEAN heads of state and delegates at the Shafa Hotel," said BMKG Head Dwikorita Karnawati in a statement, Wednesday, May 10, quoted by Antara.

He said the TMC operation had been held since May 9, 2023 and was planned to last until May 11.

The operation used the Cassa Aircraft from Air Squadron 4 Abdulrachman Saleh Air Base, Malang with a post at Tambolaka Airport, Southwest Sumba.

Dwikorita explained that the BMKG is tasked with determining the clouds and coordinates of the semai NaCl or salt. After that, the salt will be transported using an aircraft belonging to the Indonesian Air Force and sprinkled manually above the target cloud.

Cloud seeding or cloud mixing using salt will be carried out in cumulus rain clouds. The salt is smeared with the aim of accelerating the rain process so that it can happen immediately before entering the ASEAN Summit venue in Labuan Bajo.

Meanwhile, BMKG Deputy for Meteorology Guswanto said the government had prepared 20 tons of salt to make this TMC operation a success.

The Semai points include northeast and east of Labuan Bajo, Manggarai Regency, West Manggarai Regency, West Manggarai Regency, West Manggarai Regency and East Manggarai Regency, Sawu Sea, as well as Waters and Padang Savana NTT.

"The height of cloud seeding is carried out at an altitude of 8,000 -10,000 feet from sea level (dpl)," he said.

He explained that based on the results of the analysis of atmospheric dynamics and forecasts from BMKG meteorological data, there had been an increase in weather conditions caused by weather dynamics, namely the development of Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) in the 5th quadrant.

The condition of MJO in question has an impact on the potential increase in weather conditions in eastern Indonesia in general, as well as in Labuan Bajo in particular.

Currently, said Guswanto, the dominant wind direction is from the northeast to the north-southeast which is influenced by the active Australian monsoon so it is necessary to be aware of the potential for strong winds to occur.

While the sea level temperature of NTT is still quite warm, Rossby's equatorial waves are active and the humidity is quite wet in each atmospheric layer which causes the West Manggarai region to have the potential for cloud buildup.

"In syaa Allah, the TMC operation which was held in the synergy of BMKG, BNPB, TNI/TNI AU, BRIN, Kemensetneg, NTT Provincial Government can contribute to the success of the agenda of the 42nd ASEAN Summit," he said.