Flood Inundation In Demak-Kudus Is Still High, BNPB Extends Weather Modification Operation

Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Lt. Gen. Suharyanto accompanied by Acting Governor of Central Java, Head of BMKG, Regent of Demak Eisti'anah/DOK ANTARA

DEMAK - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has extended weather modification technology (TMC) operations to reduce the impact of flooding in Central Java Province considering that the flood inundation in Demak and Kudus is still high. "The TMC operation originally ended on March 20, 2024, but seeing the flood in Demak and Kudus Regencies, it will be extended," said Head of BNPB Lt. Gen. Suharyanto when met after reviewing the location of the breakdown of the Wulan River left embankment in Hamlet Norowito, Ketanjung Village, Karanganyar District, Demak Regency, Antara, Monday, March 18. During his visit, Acting Governor of Central Java Nana Sudjana, Central Java Police Chief Inspector General Ahmad Lutfi, and Regional Military Command IV Commander Diponegoro Major General Deddy Suryadi, Acting Regent of Kudus M. Hasan Chabibie, and Regent of Demak Eisti'anah were also present. Acting Governor of Central Java Nana Sudjana added, TMC on the third day did show results because there was no rain in Blora, Demak, and surrounding areas. "BNPB will extend the TMC operation, it is hoped that it can close the embankment. Others recede except for Demak, Kudus, and Jepara are still in high intensity," he said. Moreover, he added, in the next week the potential for extreme rain is still high, so that weather modification operations for the diversion of clouds and clumps containing water are diverted to other places in order to reduce the potential impact of the extended flood, of course, is needed. The reason, he said, was that the height of the flood inundation could reach 3 meters. Meanwhile, the results of the coordination between BBWS and BNPB regarding the efforts to close the embankment, he said, are currently taking these steps. It is hoped that in the next five days it can be closed again.

"Hopefully, later we will really strengthen so that there will be no further flooding," he said.