BNPB Deputy for Emergency Handling Fajar Setyawan noted in a statement here on Thursday that according to the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency's (BMKG's) weather projection, the potential of raid clouds reached above 70 percent in Biak Numfor on November 23-25.
Based on this prediction, BNPB decided to add one unit of Cessna 208 Caravan for carrying out a weather modification technology operation. BNPB had earlier operated the same type of aircraft to conduct WMT.
Setyawan made the remarks at a coordination meeting at the WMT Post located at Manuhua Air Base in Biak Numfor.
"I have ordered the weather modification technology operator to send an additional Cessna Caravan aircraft to land in Biak today, and it can intensively join in the WMT operations tomorrow," he stated.
With the additional fleet, the weather modification operation will be conducted using two airplanes and 18 tons of salt that will be sprayed.
As of Thursday, the WMT joint team has scattered a total of 14 tons of salt in the skies of Biak Numfor.
The team will continue to spray four tons of salt on Friday (November 24) in the region to anticipate rain clouds.
On Thursday, President Joko Widodo inaugurated the STC national tourism event on Samau Beach, Biak Numfor, Papua.
Four districts in Papua are hosting the event: Biak Numfor, Yapen Islands, Waropen, and Sarmi.
The STC 2023 is a national tourism agenda aimed at maintaining Indonesia's maritime sovereignty in the Pacific region.
The event will feature maritime-related activities, including art performances and a food bazaar.
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Translator: Devi R, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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