Lamongan wants cloud seeding

LAMONGAN. East Java: The Lamongan regency needs to be included in the government's cloud-seeding plan because the drought has stopped the operation of a vital phosphate fertilizer factory here, an official said yesterday.

East Java deputy governor Muhammad Zuhdi was quoted by Antara as saying that the area should be included in the cloud-seeding operation, otherwise PT Petrokimia Gresik's halt in production could have a national impact.

For production, the fertilizer factory, located in Babat district, heavily depends on water from the Begawan Solo river, of which the water flow has significantly decreased in the past month. (aan)