The DKI Provincial Government Admits That Weather Modifications Bring Rain In Jakarta Can't Be Realized, This Is The Reason

Illustration of Air Pollution (Photo: dock. Antara)

Head of the DKI Jakarta Environmental Agency, Asep Kuswanto, admitted that until now the weather modification technology (TMC) to bring rain in Jakarta has not been implemented. Yesterday, the DKI Provincial Government and the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment discussed the TMC plan to make Jakarta rain. However, TMC in the capital is difficult to do because the clouds are not available. "The cloud is a determining factor for whether the TMC can be done or not. It turns out that the results of the observations, from this TMC cannot be carried out in Jakarta until August 28 and 29," said Asep at the DKI Jakarta DPRD Building, Tuesday, August 22. On August 19 to 21, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) modified the weather in the Jabodetabek area. However, as a result, there was no rain in Jakarta, but only in a few buffer areas. "BMKG has done TMC and the results are only raining on the edge of Jakarta. What was reported on Sunday was raining in Pamulang, Bogor was raining, and Depok was drizzling," explained Asep. In the future, the DKI Provincial Government will again coordinate with the BMKG and the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) to install generators that blow water vapor in order to form rain. "We and the central government will look for other alternatives so that this air pollution can be reduced. One of them is by installing generators in high buildings. So, it's a kind of water vapor supplier," said Asep. Previously, the Acting Governor of DKI Jakarta Heru Budi Hartono asked the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) to implement weather modification technology (TMC) to bring rain in Jakarta. This was stated in a letter of application submitted by Heru to the Head of BNPB Suharyanto on Wednesday, August 16. "We ask that on August 19-21, 2023, according to the BMKG analysis, weather modification technology (TMC) efforts can be made with full financing from ready-to-use funds (DSP) of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB)," Heru wrote in a letter. In the letter, Heru explained that the air quality index (AQI) in DKI Jakarta Province, for example on August 13, 2023, was at 170 or included in the unhealthy category with PM2.5 air pollution.

Meanwhile, according to President Joko Widodo's direction in a limited meeting at the Presidential Palace on Monday, August 14, efforts need to reduce air pollution in DKI Jakarta Province, one of which is weather engineering. "Improving air quality as directed by the President is also in order to make the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta successful on September 5-7, 2023," said Heru.