Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) warns local governments against delaying weather modification requests to mitigate floods and landslides during the peak rainy season expected until February 2026. Weather modification operations are underway in West Java, DKI Jakarta, and Central Java to redistribute rainfall. BMKG stresses the need for swift responses to early warnings.
Parts of Indonesia have entered the peak rainy season, predicted to last from November 2025 to February 2026, according to the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG). Budi Harsoyo, Director of Weather Modification Governance at BMKG, stated that the agency is ready to conduct weather modification operations to anticipate hydrometeorological disasters, but this requires requests from local governments through the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).
"Even if BMKG has issued early warnings, if there is no response from local governments to request weather modification assistance from the central government via BNPB, it cannot be done," Budi said during an online press conference on Saturday (1/11/2025).
Budi highlighted that local governments often request weather modification only after disasters occur, making efforts late. He cited an example during the Lebaran mudik period a few months ago, when only the West Java Provincial Government responded to early warnings. As a result, rain in the southern waters of West Java was eliminated, while Central Java, Yogyakarta, and East Java were hit by intense rain causing floods.
"What does this mean? Our predictions were accurate, and the difference was that mitigation through weather modification operations was carried out in West Java, reducing losses," Budi said.
Meanwhile, BMKG Head Dwikorita Karnawati confirmed that weather modification operations (OMC) with BNPB have begun as anticipatory measures. In Central Java, operations started on October 25 with 41 flight sorties using two Cessna Caravan aircraft at posts in Semarang and Solo. In West Java, they began on October 23 with 29 sorties using one aircraft, showing significant rainfall reduction.
"This operation is effective in lowering and redistributing rainfall in affected areas. Rain clouds previously concentrated in one point are dispersed so rain falls more evenly," Dwikorita said during a press conference in Jakarta on the same day.
Dwikorita emphasized cross-agency collaboration and early action, urging the public to monitor BMKG information, prepare evacuations, and maintain drainage to avoid blockages. BMKG is also coordinating with the health sector to anticipate extreme weather impacts on public health.