BMKG Strengthens Early Detection System for Tropical Cyclones

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has officially operationalised a new S-Band weather radar facility in Cilacap, Central Java, to strengthen Indonesia’s early detection system for tropical cyclones. BMKG Head Teuku Faisal Fathani stated that the radar is a crucial defence mechanism, given the historical impact of destructive tropical cyclones in the southern region, such as Cyclone Cempaka and Cyclone Dahlia near Yogyakarta in 2017, and Cyclone Seroja in East Nusa Tenggara in 2021. The Cilacap location was chosen due to its geographical position facing the Indian Ocean and the high density of economic activity in the area. The S-Band radar can monitor various weather parameters in real-time, and its precise data will be used to guide Weather Modification Operations (OMC) to minimise the risk of hydrometeorological disasters, such as the landslides that struck the region last year. For the economic sector, the facility ensures the operational safety of fishermen and maintains the stability of Cilacap’s fishing industry, a major protein supplier for Central Java. The procurement is part of the strategic Marine Meteorological System Phase II (MMS-2) project, which involves building and upgrading radar infrastructure at national priority points. Nationally, BMKG targets a total of 75 weather radar units to cover the entire Indonesian airspace, with 45 units currently operational.