"We're still dispersing sodium chloride to prevent rainfall," said Kukuh Ribudiyanto, head of the local BMKG's meteorology station, on Thursday.
The BMKG is carrying out these weather modifications using aircraft provided by the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU), and Smart Aviation.
Aircraft based in Samarinda can conduct up to six missions per day depending on weather conditions, while those in Balikpapan can perform two to three missions daily.
Ribudiyanto said the weather modification efforts began in June and will continue ahead of the August 17 Independence Day ceremony.
He reported that aircraft dispersed salt three times since Thursday morning and that operations would likely continue into the evening due to approaching clouds.
"The aircraft from Balikpapan couldn't fly today because of rain in the city and a military drill," he said.
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Translator: M. Ghofar, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Anton Santoso
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