Indonesia: Activate artificial rain to extinguish forest fires

Indonesia has created artificial rain to extinguish all forest fire hotspots in the country's Riau province. This measure has been used effectively in recent times to prevent forest fires in the context of a sharp increase in the number of forest fire "hotspots" and widespread occurrences.

On July 26, a VNA reporter in Jakarta quoted BMKG Director Dwikorita Karnawati as saying that the artificial rain creation operation was carried out by the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) in coordination with the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).

The weather modification operation, which began on July 21, focused on areas at high risk of forest and land fires such as Rokan Hulu and Rokan Hilir. Over four days, authorities conducted 23 flights, spraying a total of 20.8 tonnes of Sodium Chloride (NaCl) into the clouds to induce rain.

According to BMKG, cloud seeding has proven to be effective in reducing heat spots and helping to extinguish fires in areas that are difficult to reach by road. The widespread rain effect has also benefited neighboring areas such as Guguak district, West Sumatra province, which also recorded moderate rain thanks to the artificial weather system.

BMKG affirmed that it will continue to deploy artificial rainmaking operations in other high-risk areas to effectively control forest fires throughout this year's dry season.

Meanwhile, in West Aceh, the West Aceh Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) said about 70 percent of the forest fire in the Woyla district has been contained.

BPBD has mobilized forces to continue extinguishing the fire to prevent it from spreading, especially in the context of the fire causing damage to vegetation and palm oil plantations of local people, as well as affecting the air and health of people in the neighboring area./.

(TTXVN/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/indonesia-kich-hoat-mua-nhan-tao-nham-dap-tat-chay-rung-post1052025.vnp