"The implementation has been carried out since early January 2023," acting chief of Banten BPBD, Nana Suryana, informed here on Monday.
He said that currently, the local BPBD is still focused on monitoring the weather modification development as the extreme weather emergency alert status has been set until February 28, 2023.
"The decree regarding the emergency alert status is (valid) until February 28, 2023," Suryana stated.
According to him, the weather throughout Banten region has been modified based on the emergency alert status.
Banten BPBD earlier conducted weather modification operations in Banten, following other regions that are also facing extreme weather potential.
"Several other provinces, such as Jakarta, West Java, and Central Java have already conducted it (weather modification)," Suryana said.
The weather modification in Banten was in response to the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency's (BMKG's) warning regarding the potential for extreme rainfall in several parts of Indonesia, he explained.
"According to the BMKG's prediction, Banten will experience heavy rainfall from December 2022 to February 2023," he said.
The purpose of the weather modification operation has been to reduce or divert any rainfall that could potentially fall in the region to another place, like the ocean, to prevent flooding.
"The (weather modification) technology will be carried out by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) in collaboration with the Air Force (TNI AU)," he informed.
The weather modification is being fully funded by the BNPB.
BMKG has also advised people living in coastal areas to remain alert for high waves.
Earlier, BMKG had warned of 2.5–4-meter-high waves in Enggano-western Lampung waters, western Indian Ocean near Bengkulu to Lampung, the western and southern parts of the Sunda Strait, the southern waters of Banten to Sumbawa Island, the southern Indian Ocean near Java to West Nusa Tenggara, and also the Bali Strait-Lombok Strait-southern part of Alas Strait.
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Translator: Mulyana, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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