Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Indonesian BPPT To Modify Weather In Palembang For SEA Games

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 (Bernama) -- The Indonesian Technology Assessment and Application Agency (BPPT) plans to modify the weather around Palembang, one of the venues for the Indonesian SEA Games, to ensure the smooth running of the biennial games which officially kick-offs next Friday.

Indonesia's Antara news agency quoted the head of the BPPT's unit for artificial rain, Syamsul Bahri, as saying that the weather condition in Palembang, which is likely to be wet and rainy, as not suitable for a big event like the SEA Games.

He said his agency had already despatched a Casa NC212-200 and two more aircraft on Nov 4, including a Piper Chayenne and a mobile radar for use in weather modification.

The aircraft were loaded with a hygroscopic substance, NaCL, which would be spread and shot at clouds so that they would precipitate immediately reaching the SEA Games facilities, he said

"We have been doing this since Oct 25. It is being done at the request of the South Sumatra provincial administration, especially for the opening of the Games," Syamsul said, adding there had not been a request for it from Jakarta, the SEA Games co-host.

In 2011, the office had been very busy conducting activities like reducing rainfall, filling up dams for irrigation and power supply and curbing fires.

Meanwhile, the Republika online quoted Jakarta's Govenor Fauzi Bowo as saying the daily heavy showers at the capital city would not jeopardise the Games schedule.

Fauzi said as most of the sports in Jakarta would be held in in-door venues, except for football and cycling (road-race), the organisers did not anticipate any delay of the scheduled events.

"As for football and cycling, we'll adjust the time," he said.

-- BERNAMA

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