Jakarta Plans Weather Modification to Induce Rain After Three-Week Dry Spell

Governor of DKI Jakarta Pramono Anung has opened the possibility of conducting weather modification in the capital following dry conditions over the past two to three weeks. The measure is being prepared to anticipate the impacts of El Niño, including the potential deterioration of air quality.

Pramono stated that the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government has coordinated with the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) regarding the weather situation in Jakarta. He has also instructed the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) to prepare for weather engineering if necessary.

‘The DKI Jakarta Government has coordinated with BMKG regarding Jakarta. The DKI Jakarta Government has a Regional Disaster Management Agency, and I have conveyed internally at City Hall that if weather modification is needed, I give permission,’ Pramono said at TPS 3R Menteng Atas, Central Jakarta, on Thursday (30/7/2026).

According to Pramono, Jakarta has experienced almost no rain for two to three weeks. This condition has also begun to trigger drought in several other areas.

‘Because now it has been almost two to three weeks without any rain at all, and moreover, drought is occurring in some places,’ he said.

He explained that the concept of weather modification this time differs from the usual operations conducted during the rainy season. Previously, weather modification was used to divert rain towards the sea to reduce the risk of flooding, but now the goal is to bring rain to Jakarta.

‘Thus, we will soon decide for the Regional Disaster Management Agency to carry out weather modification in Jakarta. Previously, what we did was push rain out to sea, but this time it is to create rain in Jakarta,’ he added.