BMKG Suppresses Jakarta's Extreme Rainfall with Weather Modification

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) conducted a weather modification operation in the Greater Jakarta area. Collaborating with Jakarta Regional Disaster Management Agency and the Indonesian Air Force, it took place from Friday to Thursday, 16 - 22 January 2026, with East Jakarta's Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base serving as the command post.

Deputy for Weather Modification at the agency, Tri Handoko Seto, mentioned that the modification aims to reduce the potential for hydrometeorological disasters due to high rainfall, which are prone to occur during the rainy season. An aircraft was deployed along with seeding salt and lime materials.

"The Jakarta operation is part of the emergency preparedness efforts for hydrometeorological disasters in Jakarta province and its surrounding areas. Previously, the operation was carried out from 13-19 January 2026," Seto stated on Wednesday, 21 January 2026, as quoted from the BMKG statement.

She stated that seeding is prioritized to drop rain clouds still in the ocean and moving towards Greater Jakarta. Furthermore, seeding is also carried out to inhibit the growth of new clouds, preventing them from growing optimally on land.

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Moreover, the agency's Director of Weather Modification Operations, Budi Harsoyo, said that the agency is technically supervising all activities. Before seeding, weather radar monitoring and considerations are conducted to ensure the operation's success.

Several atmospheric phenomena are currently occurring with the potential to cause rainfall in parts of Greater Jakarta, including phase 2 of the Madden-Julian Oscillation. In general, humidity in the Greater Jakarta area ranges from 40% to 100%.

"Our main priority is to reduce rain cloud development and movement into the Jakarta area so that people can do their activities comfortably and peacefully," Budi said.

According to the BMKG weather forecast, there is potential for increased rainfall during mid-January. Therefore, the weather modification will be implemented for seven days from 16-22 January.