TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Jakarta Provincial Government, through its Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), has allocated approximately Rp4.1 billion for a weather modification program aimed at mitigating flooding in the city.

“The budget available at BPBD in 2024 for weather modification is Rp4,196,000,000,” Acting Governor Teguh Setyabudi said at a press conference at City Hall, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.

He explained that the budget has been utilized for two phases of weather modification. The first phase, conducted from December 7-9, 2024, incurred an expenditure of Rp1.3 billion. The second phase, implemented from December 12-15, 2024, utilized approximately Rp1.6 billion.

Teguh said that the remaining weather modification budget, estimated between Rp1.2 and 1.3 billion, will be allocated to the third phase of the program. “We will collaborate with the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) to determine the most critical period for weather modification operations,” he added.

“This remaining budget, around Rp1.3 billion, is likely sufficient for a maximum of three days. Each day typically involves two to four sorties. So, we may do it after Dec. 20, depending on the assessed needs,” he explained. “We are still considering the exact timing in coordination with BMKG. This will ultimately determine the budget expenditure for the third phase.”

If the need for weather modification persists beyond the year-end, the Jakarta government will explore the utilization of Unexpected Assistance (BTT) funds. “If we need to conduct weather modification at the end of the year, we will consider utilizing BTT funds,” said Teguh.

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