BP Batam Adds the Volume of Raw Water Through Artificial Rain

TRIBUNBATAM.id - Batam Island is currently experiencing a long drought that began from 2018 to 2020 so that the raw water reservoirs in reservoirs are decreasing.

The decrease in water level in the reservoir is also related to the high demand for clean water, both for the community and industrial areas. 

The average rainfall in Batam City has also decreased, from an average of 2,200-2,400 mm to 1,800 mm.

This greatly affects the resilience of the reservoir in providing raw water in accordance with its design capacity. The Batam Business Entity (BP) in collaboration with the Technology Assessment and Application Agency (BPPT) is working to increase the volume of raw water on Batam Island. 

For the first time, the Batam area has implemented Weather Modification Technology (TMC) or artificial rain to replenish Duriangkang Reservoir water reserves that support Batam City's raw water needs.

Basically, artificial rain is an application of technology.

This is done for various purposes, such as increasing rainfall, reducing hail, and reducing fog.

However, in Indonesia, TMC is usually used to fill reservoirs, soak peatlands, extinguish forest fires, or reduce rainfall that causes flooding.

In this case, TMC is used in Batam to increase the volume of rainwater in order to fill reservoirs on Batam Island. 

Previously, on May 8, 2020, the MoU was signed between the Head of BP Batam and the Technology Assessment and Application Agency (BPPT) and continued with the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Director of the Facility and Environmental Business Entity and the Head of the BPPT Weather Modification Technology Center.

The Head of BP Batam, who is also the Mayor of Batam, Muhammad Rudi, and the Head of BPPT, Hammam Riza, held a meeting on Thursday (6/18/2020), to coordinate and see the developments of TMC that have been carried out during the past week.

Muhammad Rudi presented the results of this meeting. 

"I just met with the Head of BPPT, we have implemented an MoU related to Weather Modification Technology (TMC) to overcome water problems in Batam City.

This activity starts on June 11, 2020, and may continue for the next month, "said Muhammad Rudi.

He hopes, with this collaboration can solve the problem of raw water in the city of Batam.