BMKG Intensifies Daily Atmospheric Monitoring for Weather Modification Operations

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) is intensifying periodic atmospheric monitoring, ranging from hourly and daily scales to ten-day predictions. This step serves as the primary basis for executing Weather Modification Operations (OMC) to make them more precise and efficient amid the dry season. Acting Deputy for Meteorology at BMKG, Andri Ramadhani, explained that strict monitoring of active atmospheric conditions is crucial for determining the timing and location of artificial rain interventions. “We in the Deputy for Meteorology continuously monitor which atmospheric dynamics are active. So that what is done for OMC is very precise, efficient, and of course still considers which areas need immediate action,” said Andri during a press conference in Jakarta, Wednesday (10/6/2026). Andri stressed that during the dry season, cloud growth tends to be minimal. Therefore, real-time hourly atmospheric data becomes a vital instrument for cloud seeding operator teams in the field to detect “golden opportunities” for the emergence of potential clouds. This situational step must be taken so that the seeding of salt (NaCl) in the sky is not wasted. With accurate data, the seeding command is expected to truly produce rainfall right in the designated target zone. The main targets of this weather engineering are focused on two national strategic agendas: securing water for food production centres beginning to experience irrigation crises and safeguarding six priority provinces on alert for forest and land fire disasters (karhutla). Jambi Province is one of the primary focuses because it has extensive and critical forest and peatland areas. Currently, OMC in Jambi has been underway from 5 to 12 June 2026, following the establishment of an emergency alert status for forest and land fires in the province. The air operation, centred at Sultan Thaha Jambi Airport, involves collaboration between BMKG, the National Disaster Management Authority (BNPB), and the Indonesian Air Force. The team has carried out salt seeding over the West Tanjung Jabung, East Tanjung Jabung, and Muaro Jambi Regency areas, which reportedly succeeded in producing localised rain in these vulnerable spots. “So for OMC, BMKG carries it out situationally. That means adjusting to the latest atmospheric dynamics conditions,” concluded Andri.