Several Regions Facing Drought: Is Weather Modification Possible in DIY?

The DIY Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) has received reports from several areas regarding a water crisis caused by the dry season. R. Tito Asung Kumoro Wicaksono, Head of Emergency Handling at BPBD DIY, stated that the agency has coordinated with the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) and the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) regarding the possibility of weather modification in DIY. However, weather modification operations can only be conducted if there is potential for rain clouds.

“We cannot perform weather modification operations if there are no seeds of rain clouds. How can we perform modification if it is still the dry season? Without rain clouds, it is impossible. Therefore, the requirement is that rain clouds must begin to appear,” he said when contacted on Thursday (30/07/2026).

He revealed that the potential for rain clouds is likely only to emerge in November. Consequently, weather modification operations would likely be implemented if the drought persists. “Colleagues from BNPB and BMKG have stated during coordination meetings that the potential for rain clouds that we can use for weather modification operations will likely only appear in November,” he added.

Tito stated that the drought phenomenon in DIY is currently a major concern for BPBD DIY. The agency is currently planning to reallocate the Unforeseen Expenditure (BTT) budget to mitigate the impacts of the dry season.

“Over the next 10 days to two weeks, we will conduct monitoring and evaluation (Monev). Through this, we want to obtain information from regencies and cities regarding the extent of the impact. Thus, we are also planning a shift in the Unforeseen Expenditure (BTT) budget,” he explained.

“This is to provide support. We will create a Cost Requirement Plan (RKB) to support the drought-affected areas in the regencies,” he further explained.

Tito also noted that three regencies in DIY have already declared a drought emergency alert status: Bantul, Gunungkidul, and Sleman, while Kulon Progo is in the process of issuing an emergency alert decree.

Previously, Tito mentioned that four regencies in DIY have reported clean water crises at various locations. “Regarding the water crisis, it is occurring in specific spots. The regencies hold the primary responsibility; our role at the provincial level is strictly as support, while the regencies handle the initial operations.

“There are reports in Gunungkidul, Bantul, Sleman, and Kulon Progo. Only Yogyakarta City has reported no such issues,” Tito concluded.