The peak of the rainy season will start in just a couple of weeks. In January and February 2026, Bali might receive the highest amount of rainfall. This forecast is given by Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), but they promise to control the downpours, rains, and storms.
Weather will be altered in several regions simultaneously. Besides Bali, Sumatra, Java, and Nusa Tenggara will be protected from extreme rains. The task of meteorologists is to prevent storm clouds from covering the land and make them rain over the ocean.
Now, intervening in the weather is especially crucial, according to BMKG, as tropical cyclone Bakung and two storm "seeds" 93S and 95S are circling the archipelago. They could bring an extreme amount of water to Bali. Therefore, the agency decided to act proactively.
When rain clouds move towards the islands, planes seed them with NaCl. In this case, rain falls earlier — over the ocean. If clouds are already over the land, CaO — quicklime is used. It breaks the cloud structure and reduces the chance of rain.
BMKG head, Teuku Faisal Fathani, says that this approach reduces precipitation by 20–50%. This is not an experiment but a practical tool for protecting against floods and storms.
Bali is on the priority list. The island is vulnerable due to its terrain, dense construction, and tourist traffic. Heavy rain here brings not just water, but also flooding, road washouts, and airport delays.
Besides the meteorological agency, the operation to save Bali from rain involves BNPB — the national disaster agency, regional BPBD, and Basarnas, the rescue service. The Ministry of Transport coordinates their efforts.
The BMKG head emphasizes that services monitor the situation round the clock, with forecasts updated in real-time. The main request to the public is to stay vigilant and not panic.
It is important to understand: this is not "chasing away the rain for the sun," but an attempt to manage the water, letting the rain fall a bit earlier or in smaller volumes. In other words, the rainy season isn't canceled, but becomes more manageable.
Sources: BMKG, Info Denpasar.
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