"We have three methods (to try)," he stated in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Adji explained that the first method is conventional weather modification technology (TMC) that can be implemented in Jakarta and other areas near it, including Bekasi, Seribu Island, and Tangerang, to protect the city from air pollution.
The second approach to fight air pollution is through the application of dry ice method that had earlier been implemented in Thailand. However, Adji noted that this method is rarely used.
"In general, the method is similar to spraying dry ice over Jakarta," he stated.
Meanwhile, Adji elaborated that the third method entailed spraying water from small planes or drones from atop tall buildings in Jakarta. He said that this method had also been implemented in Beijing.
"We will propose this idea later. This can also be independently implemented by buildings' management in Jakarta to suppress the pollutants (at all levels)," he suggested.
The three methods were produced as the result of a joint meeting between the BPBD and the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) regarding efforts to reduce air pollution in Jakarta.
The meeting was held on August 15 and was attended by representatives from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN); Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG); Ministry of Environment and Forestry; Operations Assistant for the Indonesian Air Force (Assops AU); and Operations Assistant (Assops) for the Commander of the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI).
Based on the results of the meeting, the dry season had a significant effect on increasing pollutant levels in Jakarta. Hence, related parties agreed to conduct weather modification to induce rain.
Earlier, the BNPB had worked on applying weather modification technology for three days to reduce pollution.
Head of the Disaster Data Information and Communication Center of BNPB, Abdul Muhari, in a Disaster Briefing on Monday, remarked that the TMC was conducted on August 19-21.
"There were certain phases in that period where the minimum cloud concentration was 30 percent, and it is enough to produce artificial rain. The BNPB, along with BMKG, BRIN, and TNI-Polri (National Police), have started the TMC," he remarked.
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Translator: Siti Nurhaliza, Resinta S
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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