ISTANBUL

Indonesia conducted a five-day cloud-seeding operation to combat high-intensity rainfall and reduce flooding in the greater Jakarta area.

Sea salt was dispersed from aircraft over waters south of Banten through to Sukabumi in West Java, according to Jakarta Globe.

“We conducted two flight missions focused on spreading salt over the waters south of Banten to the south of Sukabumi,” said Regional Disaster Management Agency Jakarta head Isnawa Adji.

The operation aimed to reduce the risk of flooding by disrupting the development of major rain-bearing clouds before they reached the capital city of Jakarta.

During Sunday’s mission, the flight team observed various clouds capable of producing light rain or storms forming near Halimun National Park and over the waters south of Sukabumi and Banten.