RRI.CO.ID, Bandung - As extreme weather continues to threaten West Java, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has shifted its strategy toward atmospheric intervention to safeguard the Greater Bandung area. The Agency confirmed on Friday, April 17, 2026, that weather modification has become the primary operational priority to prevent further flooding in high-risk zones.

By targeting rain intensity before it reaches saturated catchment areas, officials hope to provide much-needed relief to the region’s vulnerable infrastructure and residential clusters.

Acting Head of BNPB’s Operations Control Center (Pusdalops), Hery Setiono, emphasized that the weather modification operation is the most effective tool currently available to suppress heavy rainfall in flood-prone subdistricts.

“Because of that, weather modification efforts continue to be prioritized to reduce the impact of rain in areas with flood potential,” said Hery during an official visit to Bandung on April 17, 2026.

As reported by Antara, this technical approach is being paired with intensive monitoring of river basins that have historically struggled to manage sudden surges in water volume.

Beyond the skies, BNPB is streamlining the bureaucratic process to ensure local administration has the resources they need for physical recovery. Hery highlighted that the agency is facilitating cross-institutional coordination involving the Citarum River Basin Organization (BBWS) and various ministries to address infrastructure damage.

“Local administration can coordinate through the regent and relevant parties if they need support, especially in aspects of financing and infrastructure repair. Such coordination is carried out while still paying attention to various technical considerations in the field,” he explained.

The Agency’s current roadmap places high-risk zones and damaged river embankments at the top of the urgency list. By focusing on these critical points, BNPB aims to prevent the escalation of existing flood impacts while technical teams work on long-term repairs. “High-risk areas will be a priority for handling so that the impact of the disaster does not get bigger,” added Hery.

As extreme weather persists, the BNPB continues to push for stronger local mitigation roles, ensuring that the combination of advanced technology and regional readiness can effectively minimize the toll on the community. ***