Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 2 hrs ago
Weather operation linked to improved air quality in Jakarta
Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung said a two-day weather operation helped reduce pollution in Indonesia's capital.
The operation, run by BMKG with Jakarta's disaster agency, used cloud seeding to encourage rain from October 21 to 25.
BMKG said it had spread 4,000 kilograms of salt in four flights by October 23.
Rain can wash some pollution particles from the air, but its effect depends on weather and the type of pollution.
Pramono said the air quality index was 61 at 4 a.m.
during the Jakarta Running Festival, then rose to 68 and 80 by midday.
The operation was planned around the running festival and a concert at Gelora Bung Karno, with rain directed to some areas while the stadium complex was kept dry.
Pramono said Jakarta would continue the operations when budget and cloud conditions allow, while BMKG stressed that cloud seeding does not replace efforts to control pollution from emissions.
Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung said a two-day weather modification operation helped reduce air pollution in the Indonesian capital.
BMKG conducted the operation from October 21 to 25 to support efforts to mitigate pollution and help conditions for public events.
By October 23, crews had released 4,000 kilograms of salt in four flights to seed clouds.
Pramono cited air quality index readings of 61 at 4 a.m., 68 later and 80 by midday on October 25.
BMKG said rain may remove some pollutants from the atmosphere, but the operation does not replace controls on pollution emissions.
- Who
- BMKG conducted the operation with Jakarta’s provincial government. Governor Pramono Anung said it helped reduce pollution.
- What
- A weather modification operation seeded clouds to encourage rain, as part of efforts to mitigate air pollution.
- When
- October 21–25, 2026. Pramono described the air quality readings on October 25.
- Where
- Jakarta and surrounding areas, including parts of Bekasi, Depok and Bogor.
- Why
- To support efforts to mitigate air pollution and create more comfortable conditions around public events.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
BMKG began the weather modification operation in Jakarta, scheduled to run through October 25.
BMKG had conducted four cloud-seeding flights and released 4,000 kilograms of salt.
A concert by Kanye West was held at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium; Pramono said the venue was kept dry during the operation.
Pramono cited air quality index readings of 61 at 4 a.m., 68 later and 80 by midday.
- Operation period
- October 21–25, 2026
- Salt released
- 4,000 kilograms (NaCl)
- Cloud-seeding flights
- Four by October 23
- Aircraft
- Cessna Caravan C208B, registration PK-SNH
- Air quality index readings
- 61 at 4 a.m.; 68 later; 80 by midday on October 25
3 sources
What people are saying
We saw that the operation successfully reduced pollution, and the public is much happier.
Rain has the potential to help clean some pollutant particles from the atmosphere, although its effectiveness depends on weather conditions and the characteristics of the pollutants.
Weather modification operations are one of the supporting instruments for mitigation and do not replace efforts to control air pollution from emissions or other environmental management measures.