BP Batam carries out weather modification to increase rainfall potential

Batam (ANTARA) - The Batam Concession Agency (BP Batam), in the Riau Islands, is carrying out a Weather Modification Operation (OMC) to increase the likelihood of rainfall, particularly in catchment areas and reservoirs that are the main sources of raw water for the public.

Denny Tondano, a member and deputy for business development at BP Batam, said the OMC was part of the agency’s ongoing, forward-looking efforts to strengthen Batam’s water security.

“This Weather Modification Operation is one of the strategic steps BP Batam is taking to anticipate the effects of dry weather and safeguard raw-water availability,” Denny said in an official statement received in Batam on Sunday.

The operation is taking place from 26 October to 2 November 2026. It is BP Batam’s second OMC of the year, following a similar operation in May.

The cross-agency and stakeholder collaboration is expected to support the operation, including in the areas of meteorology, flight safety and water-resource management.

“We hope this activity will increase the likelihood of rainfall, particularly in Batam’s catchment areas, helping to ensure the sustainability of clean-water services,” Denny said.

“BP Batam recognises that water is a basic need for the public and also underpins Batam’s economic activity. That is why BP Batam continues to pursue various strategic measures to maintain raw-water availability,” he added.

Idul Priady, director of BP Batam’s Drinking Water Supply and Waste Management Business Unit, said that, based on coordination with the Batam office of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), atmospheric monitoring indicated that Batam could experience rainfall through December 2026.

The OMC is intended to make the most of that potential, particularly by increasing the chances of rain in catchment areas and reservoirs.

On the safety of rainwater produced through the OMC, the agency said the operation uses materials that are safe and do not contaminate rainwater.

“The NaCl used in the OMC acts as a seeding agent to help water droplets form and grow inside clouds. In principle, the NaCl used is salt with characteristics similar to table salt, though its purity and particle size differ,” Idul said.