Reflecting from forest and land fire events (karhutla) in 2015 that has caused a huge impact of losses, President Joko Widodo in his direction always stressed that in the control of karhutla always emphasizes the aspects of prevention and improving the synergistics of the parties primarily in the wet areas of fire.
One of the steps for prevention of karhutla is to implement the Weather Modification Technology (TMC) so that it can lower the rain in the potentially burned forest and land area when there is a threat of heat point (hotspot).
In Sumatra Island, in particular part of the South Sumatra Province (Sumsel) and Jambi is a carhutla prone area in advance the many peat lands that are susceptible during the drought.
TNI AU’s wait for the “inner cover” floor for the Cassa C-212 aircraft during the preparation of TMC operations in Sri Mulyono Herlambang Air Base (Lanud SMH) Palembang, South Sumatra.
Prajurit TNI AU checked the condition of Cassa C-212 aircraft during the preparation of TMC operations in Sri Mulyono Herlambang Air Base (Lanud SMH) Palembang, South Sumatra.
Therefore the TMC Operation was held in both province regions for 15 days from Friday (27/5/2022) to Saturday (12/6/2022). The activity is the collaboration of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) with the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), TNI AU, Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Sumsel-Jambi, Climate Change Control Hall and Forest Fire and Land (PPIKHL) Sumatra, PT Wirakarya Sakti (APP Sinar Mas) and Indonesia Forest Entrepreneur Association (APHI).
TNI AU personnel in TMC’s operations play a very important role as they become an experiencing in the space. Pilot TNI AU Lettu Pnb Star is involved in following TMC operations since 2017.
Using Cassa C-212 aircraft from Skadron Air IV Pangkalan TNI AU Abdulrachman Saleh, Pilot TNI AU born January 30th, 1995 along the Lettu Pnb Edwin Aldrin, four technicians and a scientist from BRIN served a salt on the cloud in the space to fall rain.
Pilot Skadron IV Lanud Abdulrachman Saleh Lettu Pnb Star (second left) and Lettu Pnb Edwin Aldrin (left) coordinated with aircraft crew before implementing TMC operations by using Cassa C-212 aircraft.
The government reads the TMC operating map in South Sumatra and Jambi
So this is a challenge for him because it is in charge of being a cloud hunter, in fact if it sounds a commercial aircraft simply avoids the cloud.
Hold on the radar information on his aircraft, she can find out the cloud that is worth it or not. There is a new cloud growing, there is an already growing cloud (active) and there is a cloud that is not completely rainy.
In addition to the analysis of BRIN scientists who came there was also a reference for the selection of the cloud. Hopefully, after the salt is sowing can increase rainfall in the target region.
TNI AU's TNI knitting officers moved the sacks containing salt into the C-212 Cassa aircraft during the preparation of TMC operations.
The card containing salt is arranged in the C-212 Cassa aircraft while the preparation of TMC operations.
In each operation, the team rotates at a height of 10,000 feet from the sea surface for approximately three hours surrounding the second air area of the province by carrying 800 kg of salt to be sowing.
Along with the advancement of technology, the method of salting in the cloud is changed. Previously, the athlete is carried out in a potentially rainy cloud, the impression is like to bump the cloud. But this time the cloud is approached then salt seedlings will follow the wind direction so that the spread is more evenly.
Sumsel areas that become targeted include the Ogan Komering Ilir region, Banyuasin and Musi Banyuasin. While Jambi area includes East Tanjung Jabung and Muaro Jambi.
Pilot Skadron IV Lanud Abdulrachman Saleh Lettu Pnb Star (right) and Lettu Pnb Edwin Aldrin (left) posing next to Cassa C-212 aircraft.
Prajurit TNI AU implements TMC operations by using Cassa C-212 aircraft in Ogan Komering Ilir (OKI), South Sumatra.
According to the TMC Sumsel-Jambi Coordinator which is the representative of BRIN Dwipa Wirawan, during this operation at least 11.8 tons of salt is already in the space.
“The feeling after two to three hours after salted, rainy occurs,†said.
According to him this 2022 TMC operation, it has managed to raise the height of the soil water in the canal production belonging to the plantation company so it is beneficial when the next dry season in preventing the carhutla in the Sumsel-Jambi region.
Pilot Skadron IV Lanud Abdulrachman Saleh Lettu Pnb Star (left) and Lettu Pnb Edwin Aldrin (right) monitors clouds during TMC operations using Cassa C-212 aircraft in the Ogan Komering Ilir air area (OKI), South Sumatra.
Petugas operates GPS when performing TMC operation
Photos and text : Nova Wahyudi
Author : Nyoman Budhiana
TNI AU's TNI provides instructions to his colleagues while the operation of TMC in the Ogan Komering Ilir (OKI), South Sumatra.
Prajurit TNI AU distributes salt from within the Cassa C-212 aircraft while TMC operations in the Ogan Komering Ilir air area (OKI), South Sumatra.
The rainwater drop with Cassa C-212 Aircraft background.
