This is How BMKG Modifies Weather, Clouds are Broken Up to Prevent Clumping

Kapanlagi.com - Heavy rain often causes flooding in various parts of Indonesia, especially in areas that are less able to accommodate excessive rainfall. To face this challenge, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has launched an innovative strategy: weather modification. The goal? To reduce the potential for disasters by managing cloud movement before rain pours down on vulnerable areas.

BMKG implements this smart concept by intervening with clouds that carry the potential for heavy rain. These clouds are broken up or precipitated first in safer locations, such as in the middle of the sea or in reservoirs. With this method, the risk of cloud accumulation that could trigger extreme rain can be significantly minimized.

This weather modification step is crucial in efforts to mitigate hydrometeorological disasters, especially during the rainy season which often has widespread impacts, such as the flooding that affects Jakarta and its surroundings. So, how is this technique actually carried out? Check out the complete explanation of how weather modification works by BMKG summarized by Kapanlagi.com on Wednesday (5/3).

1. Weather Modification Principles: Controlling Rain Before It Falls

Weather modification is an advanced technique designed to change atmospheric conditions to achieve specific goals, such as increasing or decreasing rainfall, preventing storms, or addressing drought issues. The way it works is quite interesting: by dispersing special materials into the clouds, rain can be accelerated to fall in desired locations before reaching at-risk areas.

The head of the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), Prof. Dwikorita Karnawati, explained that her agency applies this concept by sprinkling certain substances into clouds that are rich in water vapor. This step aims to accelerate the condensation process, so rain can fall more quickly in safe places, such as offshore waters or reservoirs. Thus, BMKG strives to prevent flooding in densely populated areas or those vulnerable to disasters.

Moreover, this weather modification technique also serves to prevent the formation of large rain clouds that could lead to extreme rainfall. In this way, the negative impact on flood-prone areas can be minimized before a larger disaster occurs.

2. How Does BMKG Break Clouds to Prevent Them from Grouping?

One interesting method in weather modification is the cloud seeding technique applied by BMKG. In this process, they use rain-inducing substances such as sodium chloride (salt) or silver iodide, which are dispersed via aircraft into clouds that have the potential to develop and trigger heavy rain.

When these substances enter the clouds, the water particles within them will condense more quickly and fall as rain in safer locations. In this way, the potential for heavy rain that could cause flooding in vulnerable areas, such as Jakarta, Bekasi, or Puncak— which are sources of water flow to downstream regions—can be minimized.

Through this advanced technology, BMKG aims to regulate the distribution of rainfall to be more even. This is intended to reduce the risk of rainwater being concentrated in one spot, which could lead to dangerous large-scale flooding for the community.

3. West Java Becomes a Priority Area for Weather Modification Targets

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) is currently focusing special attention on regions that are prone to hydrometeorological disasters, such as mountainous areas that are the source of river flows and large cities that often flood due to heavy rainfall.

One of their main focal points is the Puncak area in West Java, which plays a vital role as a water source for the areas below it, including Jakarta and Bekasi, which are frequently hit by floods when rainfall intensity increases.

Moreover, BMKG is also implementing similar strategies in various other regions that have the potential to experience disasters due to heavy rains, such as coastal areas and regions with inadequate drainage systems, to prevent excessive water pooling in urban centers.

4. Technology and Equipment Used by BMKG

In the effort of weather modification, BMKG utilizes advanced technology that combines satellites, weather radar, and special aircraft to seed clouds with chemicals that can trigger rain.

Weather radar acts as a detection eye, identifying clouds rich in moisture that have the potential to trigger heavy rain, while satellites serve as monitors, tracking cloud movement and forecasting rain patterns in the coming days.

Once clouds likely to bring extreme rain are detected, aircraft are ready to fly to disperse rain-triggering substances, allowing the rainfall process to be well-controlled, preventing adverse impacts from excessive rainfall in vulnerable areas.

5. History of Weather Modification

Weather modification technology indeed offers new hope in addressing flood problems and distributing rainfall more evenly. However, behind these benefits, there are challenges that must be faced. One of them is the difficulty in determining the right location for cloud seeding and the effectiveness of the materials used, which can vary depending on atmospheric conditions.

Not only that, there are also concerns about the long-term impacts of weather modification. Changes in natural rainfall patterns that may occur could affect ecosystems and water resources in a region over a longer period. Nevertheless, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) continues to innovate. With advancements in technology and increasingly sophisticated monitoring systems, they strive to enhance the effectiveness of weather modification methods as part of a more comprehensive disaster mitigation strategy, especially in facing the threats of climate change that trigger extreme weather phenomena.

Interestingly, the history of weather modification began in the late 19th century. At that time, the United States Department of War attempted to use gunpowder detonated in Texas with the hope that the heat from the explosion could trigger rain. Unfortunately, the experiment ended in failure. Continuing into 1954, the Kingdom of Thailand took bold steps to induce rain as its regions were hit by drought.

This project was initiated by King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who sprinkled dry ice over Khao Yai National Park. As a result, rain fell and the project was deemed successful. Since then, in 1971, the Thai government began establishing the Artificial Rainmaking Research and Development Project at the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives of Thailand, marking an important step in the history of weather modification.

6. FAQ

1. Can weather modification completely stop rain?

No, weather modification can only regulate the intensity and location of rainfall, not completely stop it.

2. What materials are used in weather modification?

BMKG uses materials such as sodium chloride (salt) and silver iodide to trigger cloud condensation and accelerate rainfall.

3. Are there any negative impacts of weather modification?

Although it can help reduce flooding, weather modification needs to be conducted carefully to avoid altering natural rainfall patterns that could affect the environment.

4. Do all countries use weather modification technology?

Some countries like China, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates also use this technique to control weather and address drought.

(kpl/rmt)