Rp20 Bln Spent to Run BPPT's Weather Modification over Jakarta
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28 February 2020 12:16 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Throughout 60-days up to March 1, 2020, the Weather Modification Technology Unit (BBTMC) of the Assessment and Application of Technology Agency (BPPT) will have spent more than Rp20 billion to commence its weather modification program in response to the massive floods in Jakarta.
This weather modification via cloud seeding is slated to last until March, as the rainy season hits its peak.
Head of the agency, Tri Handoko Seto, said that the funds in conducting cloud seeding are sourced from the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB). “We do not communicate with the Jakarta administration about this budget,” said Tri Handoko on Wednesday, February 26.
The costs spent to conduct the weather modification are distributed to a number of expenses such as; costs to operate TNI airforce and BPPT airplanes, fuel, and NaCl salt for the cloud seeding.
The official duration for BPPT’s 'cloud seeding operation' started in January and will officially end on March 1. However, the agency said they are experimenting with alternatives other than cloud seeding such as using flares that do not force clouds to drop its moisture but to eliminate the clouds' formation.
ZACHARIAS WURAGIL
