Jakarta Flood: BPPT Sets Cloud Seeding to Curb Rainfall

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Weather Modification Technology Unit or BBTMC of the Assessment and Application of Technology Agency (BPPT) prepared the flare method in a bid to curb flooding caused by extreme rainfall in Jakarta and its surrounding areas. The method started to be implemented on Wednesday, February 26, 2020.

"So we are carrying out two techniques [to hold rainfall] starting today. We will shoot salt flares by using an airplane from Curug Airport, Tangerang and operate cloud seeding from Halim Perdanakusumah Airport that has been ongoing since January 3," said the BBTMC Head Tri Handoko Seto in Puspiptek Complex, Serpong, South Tangerang on Wednesday, February 26, 2020.

Seto outlined the differences of the two techniques. The cloud seeding is done by aiming for rainclouds that are entering Jakarta to fasten the rain to fall over the ocean, instead of the capital areas.

Meanwhile, the flare method aims for clouds that have grown above Jakarta Greater Area or Jabodetabek by seeding the clouds. "We use different salt materials that allow rain to fall slower or disrupt it," Seto said.

Seto admitted that his team was instructed to conduct the flares method after major floods that submerged Jakarta and its surroundings for the past few days following heavy downpours in the late and early hours.

ZACHARIAS WURAGIL