TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) in tandem with the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), and the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) carried out weather modification to succeed the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

Dwikorita Karnawati, the BMKG head, explained that the weather modification technology operation has been held since May 9, 2023, considering that there are several outdoor events, such as a welcoming dinner for ASEAN heads of state and delegates at the Ayana Hotel.

“It (weather modification) is planned to last until May 11,” Dwikorita said in her statement, Wednesday, May 10, 2023.

The operation used a Cassa aircraft from Air Squadron 4 Abdulrachman Saleh Air Base, Malang, and is stationed at Tambolaka Airport, Southwest Sumba.

“BMKG is in charge of determining clouds and coordinate points for NaCl or salt seedlings. After that, the salt will be transported using a plane belonging to the Indonesian Air Force and sown manually over the target cloud,” Dwikorita elaborated.

Guswanto, the BMKG Deputy for Meteorology, added that the government prepared 20 tons of salt. As for the seedling points, they are targeted in the northeast and east of Labuan Bajo, Manggarai Regency, West Manggarai Regency, the border of West Manggarai and East Manggarai Regencies, the Sawu Sea, as well as the waters and savanna fields of NTT.

“Cloud seeding is carried out at an altitude of 8,000-10,000 feet above sea level,” he added.

The 42nd ASEAN Summit themed 'ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth' took place for three days on May 9-11, 2023, in Labuan Bajo. This biennial event was attended by 11 ASEAN member countries. Indonesia is entrusted with holding ASEAN Chair for the fifth time.

MARIA FRANSISCA LAHUR

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