Government operates cyclone detection radar on Java's southern coast

The government, through the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), has officially operated a state-of-the-art S-Band weather radar facility in Cilacap, Central Java, to strengthen early detection of potential tropical cyclones on the southern coast of Java. BMKG Head Teuku Faisal Fathani stated that the radar serves as a crucial defence mechanism, given the historical record of destructive tropical cyclones directly impacting southern Indonesia. He cited Cyclone Cempaka and Cyclone Dahlia south of Yogyakarta in 2017, as well as Cyclone Seroja, which caused significant damage in East Nusa Tenggara in 2021. The placement in Cilacap was chosen because this coastal area directly faces the Indian Ocean and has a high density of economic activity. Beyond detecting cyclone seeds, the new infrastructure functions to monitor rain clouds, rainfall intensity, weather system movements, and the growth of convective clouds that trigger extreme weather, all in rapid real-time. Precision data from this radar is also intended to guide the implementation of Weather Modification Operations in vulnerable zones to minimise the impact of hydrometeorological disasters, such as the landslides that struck the area last year. For the local economy, the radar’s operation directly impacts the safety guarantees for fishermen at sea and helps maintain the productivity stability of Cilacap’s fishing industry, which supplies protein to Central Java. The procurement of this facility is part of the strategic Marine Meteorological System Phase II project, which focuses on strengthening maritime meteorological observations in nationally prioritised areas. Through the MMS-2 project, BMKG is building five new weather radars, comprising four S-Band radars in Cilacap, Natuna, Tanjung Pinang, and Saumlaki, as well as the rejuvenation of one C-Band weather radar in Tangerang to optimise coverage of the Greater Jakarta area. Nationally, BMKG continues to strive to strengthen the atmospheric observation network across Indonesia. Out of a total requirement of 75 weather radars to cover the entire Indonesian airspace, BMKG has currently operated 45 units and is committed to gradually increasing this number year by year.