Inp.polri.go.id - Labuan Bajo. Head of the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Dwikorita Karnawati said his party, together with related agencies and the Indonesian Air Force, carried out a weather modification technology operation (TMC) to make the 42nd ASEAN Summit successful in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). The operation used a Cassa aircraft from Air Squadron 4 Abdulrachman Saleh Air Base, Malang, with a post at Tambolaka Airport, Southwest Sumba.

"This TMC operation is to anticipate bad weather during the 42nd ASEAN Summit, considering that there are several events that will be held outdoors such as the welcoming dinner of ASEAN heads of state and delegates at the Ayana Hotel," said Dwikorita in Labuan Bajo, Wednesday (10/ 5/23).

She explained that the BMKG was in charge of determining the clouds and the coordinate points for the NaCl or salt seedlings. After that, the salt will be transported by a plane belonging to the Indonesian Air Force and sown manually on the targeted clouds.

Cloud seeding using NaCl or salt will be carried out in cumulus rain clouds. Salt seeding aims to speed up the rain process so that it occurs immediately before entering the ASEAN Summit venue in Labuan Bajo.

Meanwhile, BMKG Deputy for Meteorology Guswanto said the government had prepared 20 tons of salt to make the TMC operation successful. As for the seedling points, namely the northeast and east of Labuan Bajo, Manggarai Regency, West Manggarai Regency, Borders of West Manggarai and East Manggarai Regencies, Sawu Sea, as well as the Waters and Savanna Fields of NTT.

"The height of cloud seeding is carried out at an altitude of 8,000 - 10,000 feet above sea level," he explained.

(ay/hn/um)