BMKG runs weather modification at 3 posts to address Sumatra floods
Baku, December 1, AZERTAC
The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) is conducting Weather Modification Operations (OMC) at three posts to reduce the potential for rain during aid distribution for flood and landslide victims in Aceh, West Sumatra, and North Sumatra, according to ANTARA.
The OMC is scheduled until December 3, centered at the Sultan Iskandar Muda Meteorological Station Post (Aceh), the Kualanamu Post (Medan), and the Minangkabau International Airport Post (Padang).
"We are working to ensure that rescue operations, emergency response, and logistics deliveries are not hindered by extreme weather. We are spreading NaCl (a fine salt solution) to direct rainfall toward locations that are not considered vulnerable," BMKG Head Teuku Faisal Fathani said in a meeting with the Home Affairs Ministry on Monday.
In high-risk areas, the agency is also using Calcium Oxide (CaO) to reduce rainfall over those locations and redirect it to safer regions.
"The OMC is intended to spread rain and or prevent it from occurring. We are currently operating flights, with a total of five aircraft at the Aceh, Medan, and Padang Command Posts," Fathani explained.
His agency also requested provincial governments, particularly governors, to immediately declare an emergency alert status upon receiving an early disaster warning.
"Without this status, the BMKG and BNPB (the National Disaster Mitigation Agency) cannot conduct weather modification operations," he continued.
In addition, regional heads are also asked to carefully consider all information provided by the BMKG through their posts or provincial coordinators.
"There are five major offices that have the authority to declare an emergency alert status," Fathani emphasized.
Besides weather modification, the BNPB is also speeding up efforts in clearing roads blocked by floods and landslide debris to support disaster relief delivery.
The latest BNPB data shows the death toll from floods and landslides in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra stood at 442 people. Meanwhile, the total number of missing persons in the three provinces reached 402.
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