South Kalimantan BNPB Reveals The Impact Of Weather Modification At The End Of January

BPBD said OMC in South Kalimantan lowers rainfall (ANTARA/HO-BPBD South Kalimantan)

The South Kalimantan Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) has carried out a Weather Modification Operation (OMC) involving BNPB and BMKG on January 29-30. The operation is said to be able to reduce rainfall and reduce flood discharge in several surrounding areas.

"Since OMC was held in South Kalimantan for two days, the intensity of rain has tended to decline to date," said South Kalimantan Province BPBD Head of Prevention and Preparedness Bambang Dedy Mulyadi confirmed in Banjarmasin, citing ANTARA Sunday, February 2.

He said OMC activities are a form of mitigation effort that can be carried out to reduce the impact and potential for disasters, one of which is the threat of flooding due to high intensity and rainfall.

"The pattern is by seeding clouds that have the potential to rain before entering areas prone to flooding due to high rainfall," he said.

Bambang said that from the results of observations in the last few days, in general, clouds, especially those in the southern coastal area of South Kalimantan, did not rain on the mainland.

Based on BMKG analysis, OMC is sufficient to reduce the potential for rain originating from the clouds in the southern part. Although it cannot cover the entire South Kalimantan region, it can still have sufficient impact to reduce the risk of flooding.

He said this OMC was previously proposed to BNPB through a written letter, this step was a follow-up based on monitoring and flood conditions that occurred in various areas due to high rainfall in January.

Based on data from the South Kalimantan BPBD Pusdalops field, rainfall since January 1-25 has caused flooding in various areas, the number of affected residents is 24,618 families or 68,072 people, while the houses submerged are 21,673 housing units.

"OMC activities should ideally be carried out longer in order to get maximum results, of course this helps with more optimal flood management," said Bambang.