inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung explained that the reason weather modification operations (OMC) cannot be carried out during the current dry season is the lack of clouds.

"Because until today, there are no clouds. I have repeatedly ordered the Regional Disaster Management Agency to immediately carry out weather modification," Pramono said at City Hall, Jakarta, Wednesday (8/19/2026).

According to him, weather modification can only be carried out even when there are clouds.

"As long as there are clouds, we will immediately carry out the weather modification," Pramono said.

Usually, the Jakarta Provincial Government, through the Jakarta Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), carries out weather modification by pushing rainwater out to sea. This time, the OMC is instead pushing rain onto the mainland of Jakarta.

Meanwhile, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) stated that OMC is an intervention to increase the potential for rain by seeding salt or sodium chloride (NaCl) into clouds using special aircraft.

One of the main requirements for salt seeding is the formation of convective clouds.

Currently, the BMKG (Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency) has recorded an active El Niño phenomenon in 2026 with the potential to reach very strong levels.

This condition is predicted to trigger a drier and longer dry season in most parts of Indonesia, increasing the risk of drought and various impacts on strategic sectors.

Therefore, strengthening mitigation and preparedness measures nationally is necessary.

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