January 17, 2026 | 05:08 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Jakarta Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) conducted a Weather Modification Operation (OMC) to anticipate extreme weather and hydrometeorological disasters. The operation runs for five days, from Friday, January 16, to Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
The Head of the Jakarta BPBD, Isnawa Adji, stated that the operation is a precautionary measure to reduce hydrometeorological disaster risks, specifically floods, which often occur during heavy rainfall.
"The BPBD has started conducting weather modification operations as a precautionary measure against the potential for hydro-meteorological disasters or extreme weather in Jakarta. This effort is carried out to reduce the intensity of rain in vulnerable areas," said Isnawa, as quoted on Saturday, January 17, 2026.
The OMC was implemented alongside the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) and the Indonesian Air Force. Activities are centered at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, East Jakarta, using a CASA 212 A-2105 aircraft.
On the first day, the BPBD recorded two flight sorties using 1,600 kilograms of Sodium Chloride (NaCl) as seeding material. The material was dispersed in Sunda Strait waters to dissolve rain clouds moving toward land, concentrating precipitation over the sea.
The first sortie occurred from 13:28 to 14:48 WIB at an altitude of 8,000 to 12,000 feet, seeding 800 kilograms of NaCl. Major Pnb Candra and Captain Pnb Lucky piloted the flight, supported by BMKG scientists and Jakarta BPBD observers. The second sortie took place from 15:40 to 17:30 WIB at 9,000 feet with the same amount of material.
The OMC was deemed necessary following floods in several Jakarta areas on Monday, January 12, 2026. This event served as a reminder to improve preparedness, especially when forecasts indicate heavy rain.
"The weather modification operation is carried out to reduce the risk of disasters, as well as to complement various other efforts that we have made, such as strengthening pump readiness, dredging channels, and field personnel readiness," said Isnawa.
This responds to the potential for extreme weather following predictions of increased rainfall in Jabodetabek. The BMKG predicted that rainfall will increase over the next week until January 22, 2026, with peak intensity expected on January 18-20, 2026.
Read: Jakarta Floods: Are Reservoirs a Sufficient Solution?
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