RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – The Jakarta Provincial Administration, through the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), is intensifying Weather Modification Operations (WMO) as a strategic measure to mitigate potential extreme weather and hydrometeorological disasters across the Jakarta metropolitan area.

According to an official press release on Monday, January 19, 2026, the operation is scheduled to run for seven days, from January 16 to 22, 2026. Based at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in East Jakarta, the initiative is a collaborative effort involving the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) and the Indonesian Military Air Force.

On Saturday, January 17, cloud seeding efforts were concentrated over the northern waters of Java. Utilizing 2,400 kilograms of Sodium Chloride (NaCl), aircraft dispersed the seeding agents at altitudes ranging between 8,000 and 12,000 feet.

The objective of the seeding is to induce precipitation from rain clouds moving toward the mainland, effectively "exhausting" them over the sea before they reach Jakarta.

Mohamad Yohan, Head of the Disaster Data and Information Center for the Jakarta BPBD, explained that targeting offshore areas is a tactical move to manage moderate-to-heavy rainfall before it reaches land.

"The second day of this Weather Modification Operation focused on the northern waters of Java to dissipate rain clouds heading toward Jakarta. By concentrating rainfall over the sea, we aim to significantly reduce the risk of inundation and flooding within the province," said Yohan in the press release.

Yohan further emphasized that all WMO activities are guided by the latest meteorological analyses and continuous atmospheric monitoring by BMKG.

The Jakarta BPBD, BMKG, and the Indonesian Air Force will maintain daily evaluations and coordination through January 22. These sessions will determine the most effective seeding locations and timing based on evolving atmospheric dynamics. (Annaila Azzahra/Bambang MBKA)