Authorities in Tanah Datar, Indonesia, took action on Wednesday by seeding clouds to prevent further rain and potential flash floods. This effort comes after recent deluges on Sumatra Island resulted in at least 58 fatalities and 35 people reported missing.
Monsoon rains triggered a landslide of mud and cold lava from Mount Marapi, leading to rivers overflowing their banks. The floods devastated mountainside villages across four districts in West Sumatra province just before midnight on Saturday.
The disaster swept away people, 79 homes, and submerged hundreds of other structures. More than 1,500 families were forced to seek refuge in temporary government shelters, according to National Disaster Management Agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari. By Wednesday, 58 bodies had been recovered from mud and rivers, primarily in the hardest-hit Agam and Tanah Datar districts. Additionally, around 33 villagers sustained injuries.
Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency predicted more downpours for West Sumatra in the coming days, with the risk of extreme rainfall persisting until next week. To mitigate this risk, an air force plane was deployed on Wednesday to shoot salt flares into the clouds, aiming to induce precipitation and break up the clouds before they reach the affected areas.
The cloud seeding efforts, a form of weather modification technology, involved collaboration between Indonesia’s air force and technology agency. Three rounds of cloud seeding were conducted on Wednesday, with more planned as necessary. Approximately 15 tons of salt were prepared for these operations.
National Disaster Management Agency chief Suharyanto, who visited the district of Agam, announced that the emergency response would continue until May 25. Search and rescue operations were ongoing as workers combed through rivers and rubble in devastated villages. Indonesia is prone to landslides and floods due to heavy rains, exacerbated by its location on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” known for volcanic activity and seismic events.