Indonesia Deploys Cloud Seeding Operations to Combat Forest Fires

Indonesia continues to conduct Weather Modification Operations (OMC), commonly known as cloud seeding, in West Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan to suppress forest and land fires (karhutla). Rainfall was observed in several target areas on September 4, 2026, including Putussibau, Kubu Raya, Pontianak, and West Kotawaringin. The Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) stated that the OMC is directed at increasing land wetting, especially peatlands, as well as aiding in land fire suppression and reducing the risk of widespread fires and smoke. In West Kalimantan, the OMC took place from August 28 to September 4, involving 10 flights and the use of 8,000 kilograms of sodium chloride (NaCl) as seeding material. Meanwhile, in Central Kalimantan, operations ran from August 26 to September 5, with nine flights utilizing 7,200 kilograms of NaCl as of September 4. Each flight is determined based on atmospheric conditions, potential cloud growth, wind direction and speed, hot spot distribution, and the necessity for irrigation in areas prone to forest fires. KLHK recorded rainfall in Putussibau, Kubu Raya Regency, and Pontianak City in West Kalimantan. Rain was also observed in West Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan. The rainfall is expected to help increase soil moisture, cool fire locations, and reduce the risk of fires rekindling. Dasrul Chaniago, Director of Land Fire Control at KLHK, emphasized that OMC is not a standalone solution for handling karhutla. "OMC is not an isolated effort. Its implementation must go hand in hand with patrols, hot spot monitoring, ground fire suppression, peatland management, water management, community involvement, business supervision, and law enforcement," Dasrul stated. The operations involve KLHK, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), the Ministry of Forestry, the Indonesian Air Force, local governments, and other supporting elements. For West Kalimantan, the OMC continued with support from BNPB from September 3-9, 2026. The sustainability of the OMC in Central Kalimantan is supported by the Ministry of Forestry. KLHK stated that evaluations are conducted by examining flight data, the use of seeding materials, rainfall distribution, hot spot development, air quality, and field monitoring results.