C. Java cloud seeding starts

SEMARANG, Central Java: The Central Java administration, in cooperation with the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT), will carry out cloud seeding for 35 days starting Monday to overcome water shortages due to the prolonged dry season, Antara reported yesterday.

Head of the provincial water resources services, Tasambar Mochtar, said Thursday the cloud seeding aimed to raise the water level of several dams which were low on water.

He said his office had conducted field studies of cloud seeding. The undertaking is expected to cost Rp 1 billion (US$295,000).

A study conducted by the local Meteorological and Geophysical Agency (BMG) said this year's drought would end in December, but the agency's spokesman, Soepriyo, said the dry season in Central Java and Yogyakarta would last 10 to 20 days longer than expected. (mds)