Nusantara Capital Authority conducts weather modification in East Kalimantan

weather modification operation Ibu Kota Nusantara El Nino mitigation forest fire prevention sodium chloride seeding

The Nusantara Capital Authority (OIKN), in collaboration with the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) and the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), has conducted a weather modification operation (OMC) in East Kalimantan. The operation, which utilized approximately 4 tons of sodium chloride (NaCl) across five sorties, aims to induce rainfall to mitigate the effects of El Nino, combat drought, and prevent forest and land fires.

Since the operation began on August 21, 2026, rainfall has been recorded in several areas, including Mahakam Ulu and Kutai Kartanegara. The seeding process involved using Casa 212 aircraft flying from Dhomber Air Force Base in Balikpapan, dispersing roughly 800 kilograms of salt per flight into cloud formations at altitudes between 8,000 and 9,000 feet.

Beyond fire prevention, the operation is intended to maintain surface water availability for the Nusantara capital. Officials noted a slight increase in water levels at the Sepaku River intake, a key raw water source for the region, following the modification efforts.

Entities

BMKG · Badan Meteorologi, Klimatologi, dan Geofisika · Danis Hidayat Sumadilaga · East Kalimantan · Kalimantan Timur · Otorita Ibu Kota Nusantara · TNI Angkatan Udara

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] Each flight sortie carried approximately 800 kilograms of salt. www.antaranews.com · mediaindonesia.com · economy.okezone.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The weather modification mission is a collaborative effort involving BMKG, TNI AU, and BPBD. mediaindonesia.com · economy.okezone.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Rainfall was recorded in Mahakam Ulu and Kutai Kartanegara following the operations. www.antaranews.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The water level at the Sepaku River intake increased by approximately 1 centimeter. www.antaranews.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The operation aims to maintain surface water availability and mitigate El Nino impacts, drought, and forest fires. www.antaranews.com · economy.okezone.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The operations utilized Casa 212 A-2105 aircraft operating from Lanud Dhomber in Balikpapan. www.antaranews.com · economy.okezone.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Approximately 4 tons of sodium chloride (NaCl) have been sown through five flight sorties. www.antaranews.com · economy.okezone.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Otorita Ibu Kota Nusantara (OIKN) is conducting weather modification operations (OMC) in East Kalimantan. www.antaranews.com · mediaindonesia.com · economy.okezone.com

Sources

Modifikasi cuaca oleh OIKN berhasil turunkan hujan di sejumlah daerah [www.antaranews.com]

3 days ago

Modifikasi Cuaca untuk Atasi Kekeringan, 800 Kg Garam Disemaikan di IKN [mediaindonesia.com]

5 days ago

Tangani Karhutla Kalimantan, Tabur Garam 4 Ton di IKN demi Turunkan Hujan : Okezone Economy [economy.okezone.com]

3 days ago