Indonesia Set to Initiate Second Phase of Weather Modification to Alleviate Flooding in Jakarta

Synopsis

Indonesia is set to begin the second phase of a weather modification operation next week to reduce severe flooding in Jakarta and surrounding areas, as announced by BNPB. This action is in response to forecasts of extreme weather conditions that could lead to heavy rainfall.

Key Takeaways

Indonesia is launching a second phase of weather modification.
This initiative aims to alleviate flooding in Jakarta.
Operation spans from March 11 to March 18.
Involves dispersing salt into clouds to induce rain over the sea.
First phase has already reduced rainfall intensity.

Jakarta, March 5 (NationPress) Indonesia is preparing to embark on the second phase of a weather modification initiative next week aimed at reducing the risks of severe flooding in Jakarta and its neighboring regions, as announced by the National Disaster Management and Mitigation Agency (BNPB) on Wednesday.

This action comes in response to a forecast from the Meteorological, Climatology, and Geological Agency that anticipates extreme weather conditions from March 11 to March 20, potentially leading to intense rainfall and flooding in Jakarta and nearby municipalities.

BNPB spokesperson Abdul Muhari informed Xinhua news agency that the operation, which is set to take place from March 11 to March 18, aims to diminish heavy rainfall in the upstream regions of the Ciliwung and Cisadane rivers, which flow into Jakarta and its satellite cities.

Muhari elaborated that flooding in the area is frequently caused by the overflow of the Ciliwung and Cisadane rivers, originating from Puncak Cisarua, Bogor Regency, West Java. The weather modification technique involves dispersing salt into clouds to inhibit the formation of larger rain clouds in the upstream regions.

"By introducing salt into the clouds prior to their arrival at Puncak Cisarua, we can encourage precipitation over the sea, thereby reducing the likelihood of heavy rainfall in the upstream river areas," he stated.

"Currently, we are executing the first phase of weather modification, which commenced on Tuesday and will conclude on Saturday.

This phase has effectively decreased rainfall intensity in upstream regions, significantly alleviating flooding in Jakarta and its surrounding areas," he added.

Severe flooding impacted numerous locations in Jakarta and its satellite cities on Tuesday after substantial rain began falling over the regions since Monday evening, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

BNPB is actively overseeing emergency flood response operations in Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi (Greater Jakarta).

In Bekasi, floods have submerged 25 urban villages across 12 districts, impacting 61,233 individuals. At least 360 residents from the North Bekasi District have relocated to a nearby mosque.

Meanwhile, several areas in South Jakarta, East Jakarta, and West Jakarta remain inundated, affecting 2,098 individuals, with 1,236 people moved to various shelters.

In Banten Province, BNPB is monitoring flooding in Tangerang Regency and South Tangerang City. Flooding has impacted seven villages across seven districts in Tangerang Regency, displacing 4,157 individuals.