JABAR EKSPRES – The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) successfully conducted Weather Modification Technology (TMC) operations in Jambi and South Sumatra (South Sumatra) to prevent forest and land fires (Karhutla) in the area and the results after spreading 800 kilograms of salt in the air, the weather in the two provinces has rained in the past few days.
“Alhamdulillah, the TMC operation that we have carried out since last Thursday and Friday has run smoothly, without any significant obstacles,” said TMC Field Coordinator Jambi – South Sumatra, Fikri Nur Muhammad, Monday (5/8).
The sowing of 800 kilograms of salt by Air Force Casa C/212 Aviocar-Squadron 4 Malang-at Sultan Thaha Airport in Jambi was last carried out on Friday afternoon (5/5).
Fikri explained that the TMC activity, which was carried out at around 1 p.m., targeted potential clouds containing water vapor above the sky on the border between Jambi and Musibanyuasin Regency, South Sumatra.
“Through this operation, we hope that it will be effective in reducing rain to wet or increase water reserves, especially in peatlands in Jambi and South Sumatra,” Fikri said.
The TMC activity, which is centered at the Jambi Province Karhutla Command Post which uses the old VIP building of the Jambi Sultan Thaha Airport, according to Fikri, is scheduled for 12 days, starting May 4, 2023. For TMC purposes at the Jambi Karhutla Command Post, 30 tons are already available.
He explained that in the implementation of TMC, BRIN cooperates with related stakeholders including BNPB, TNI, BMKG, KLHK, BRGM, Jambi Provincial Government, South Sumatra Provincial Government, PT Angkasa Pura.
“This is a collaborative work, including in Jambi, we also get support from PT WKS (Wirakarya Sakti, APP Sinar Mas business unit in Jambi Province) and hopefully this operation will be effective in preventing forest and land fires. Alhamdulillah, based on the joint monitoring, the last three days the Jambi area up to the South Sumatra border has zero hotspots,” he said.
