IPB University Alumnus, One of the Scientists Behind the Sunny Sky of the Labuan Bajo ASEAN Summit

A Hilmi Rafiiq, a graduate of IPB University from the Department of Geophysics and Meteorology (GFM), Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) became a team of experts in the use of weather modification to engineer the weather during the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). 

Hilmi acted as a Flight Scientist and joined the Weather Modification Technology Division (TMC), PT Smart Aviation.

"During the mission in Labuan Bajo, it was seen that many local clouds developed into cumulus congestus clouds that appeared around Flores Island. These clouds have the potential to rain over Labuan Bajo. However, after seeding the clouds, they immediately became rain before reaching the location of the ASEAN Summit venue," he said. 

In this operation, his party carried out ten sorties of flights by sprinkling as much as 10 tons of NaCl or salt. Flights are carried out starting from morning until sunset. This is done so that the ASEAN Summit is free from rain.

Moeldoko as the Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Presidency said, "This weather modification needs to be done to facilitate the running of the 42nd ASEAN Summit, especially during the outdoor dinner of state leaders."

During the implementation of TMC in the field, PT Smart Aviation collaborates with BNPB, the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of NTT Province, and the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) to make the 42nd ASEAN Summit a success so that it is not interrupted by rain.

In order to face the dry season in 2023 which is predicted to be drier due to the impact of El Nino, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) is making mitigation efforts for drought and forest and land fires (khutba) by carrying out weather modification operations. This step is also to secure the implementation of the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, NTT. 

Previously, the Head of BNPB through an instruction letter issued has given trust to PT Smart Aviation to carry out TMC activities in the context of supporting emergency handling of drought and forest and land fires in the NTT Province area in 2023. 

TMC operations began on Tuesday (9/5) and lasted for four days. Flights were carried out from a post stationed at Lede Kalumbang Airport, NTT. Until the last day of seeding, PT Smart Aviation successfully prevented and redistributed rain from falling over the Labuan Bajo sky. (*/Rz) (IAAS/TNY)