East Java Disaster Management Agency: Several Mountainous Areas Identified as OMC Priority

The East Java Provincial Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) has stated that several mountainous areas with a high risk of fire in the region have been included in the priority scale for weather modification operations (OMC).

“The priority areas are certainly those with high fire potential, including Bromo, Semeru, Arjuno, and areas where fires occurred in previous years, such as Mount Lawu. Therefore, these are our priorities,” said the Head of East Java BPBD, Gatot Soebroto, during an inspection of fire management efforts at Mount Bromo on Sunday.

Based on recent communications, he noted that the most appropriate period with the best potential to conduct OMC is projected for October 2026. He added that the operation can proceed provided that suitable cloud formations are available, a process that will be verified by the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) to ensure data-driven implementation. He expressed hope that cloud potential would be favourable by next month.

In addition to the mountainous regions of East Java, Gatot mentioned that OMC is also intended to meet water supply requirements for irrigation in the province’s northern coastal areas, such as Lamongan and Bojonegoro.

He emphasised that weather modification will not be implemented across all regions; instead, execution will depend on the specific needs of each area within East Java. Gatot noted that certain areas may not require weather modification, particularly those where the harvest season of specific commodities is underway.

“Specifically for tobacco farmers who require a dry season, this is one of our considerations when deciding which areas require OMC and which require water bombing,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Emergency and Logistics Division of the East Java BPBD, Satriyle Nurseno, added that while weather modification is necessary to extinguish forest and land fires, current cloud conditions do not permit the process. He stated that the plan is to conduct the OMC in early October, as BMKG Juanda indicates potential cloud formation on the southern side of East Java.