East Java Disaster Mitigation Agency Conducts Weather Modification Operation During Lebaran Exodus

The Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) of East Java is conducting a weather modification operation (OMC) to mitigate the impact of extreme weather during the Lebaran holiday period.

“The decision to implement OMC is based on coordination results considering the high volume of travellers expected to enter East Java,” said Gatot Subroto, Head of the East Java Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency, in Surabaya on Thursday (13 March).

Based on data from the Indonesian Meteorological, Climatological and Geophysical Agency (BMKG), several regions in East Java face the potential of extreme weather during the Lebaran period. Consequently, the operation will be carried out in accordance with a decision by East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa.

The weather modification operation will run for approximately 10 days, beginning on 16 March and continuing for five days after Lebaran, with 22 flight sorties conducted across identified vulnerable areas based on BMKG mapping.

In addition, Gatot urged tourism sector operators to prepare rescue teams for disaster mitigation should extreme weather occur in their areas.

The BPBD East Java has established 38 emergency response and standby posts across all districts and cities, and has deployed 300 personnel for disaster management as part of preparations for the holiday exodus.

“In total, there are 38 posts in each district and city, particularly at the offices of each regional BPBD, as well as one main post at the East Java Provincial BPBD office,” he said.

During the exodus period, approximately 24.90 million people are projected to travel. “The arrival rate of residents from outside East Java visiting the province is estimated to be very high, as is the movement of East Java residents undertaking the journey to other regions,” he added.