emirates7 - Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has launched weather modification efforts in Riau province to prevent forest and land fires, which are common during the dry season.
Jim Ghafur, head of the emergency division of Riau's Regional BNPB, stated that the operation began on Friday and is expected to continue for several weeks.
A dedicated aircraft has been assigned to Rokan Hilir district, one of the areas most susceptible to fires each year.
“The Cessna aircraft will conduct cloud seeding to induce artificial rain, aiming to moisten peatlands that are beginning to dry due to the ongoing dry season,” Ghafur told the Indonesian News Agency (ANTARA).
He explained that Rokan Hilir was selected because of its extensive peatlands, which are especially fire-prone in dry conditions, and because weather assessments have shown the presence of clouds suitable for seeding.
The duration of the operation will depend on weather patterns and the availability of clouds. Ghafur added that the BNPB is prepared to prolong the operation if needed.
He also noted that the initiative is a joint effort involving the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the BNPB, and the Riau Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD).
According to BMKG's forecast, Riau will enter a dry season starting in early May 2025, lasting through September—raising the risk of fires, especially in coastal areas such as Rokan Hilir, Bengkalis, and Dumai. To address this, authorities plan to increase land and aerial patrols to detect fire hotspots early.
“We hope this effort will significantly reduce the likelihood of fires. Riau has faced severe forest and land fires in the past, and we aim to prevent such events from repeating this year,” Ghafur said.
Jim Ghafur, head of the emergency division of Riau's Regional BNPB, stated that the operation began on Friday and is expected to continue for several weeks.
A dedicated aircraft has been assigned to Rokan Hilir district, one of the areas most susceptible to fires each year.
“The Cessna aircraft will conduct cloud seeding to induce artificial rain, aiming to moisten peatlands that are beginning to dry due to the ongoing dry season,” Ghafur told the Indonesian News Agency (ANTARA).
He explained that Rokan Hilir was selected because of its extensive peatlands, which are especially fire-prone in dry conditions, and because weather assessments have shown the presence of clouds suitable for seeding.
The duration of the operation will depend on weather patterns and the availability of clouds. Ghafur added that the BNPB is prepared to prolong the operation if needed.
He also noted that the initiative is a joint effort involving the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the BNPB, and the Riau Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD).
According to BMKG's forecast, Riau will enter a dry season starting in early May 2025, lasting through September—raising the risk of fires, especially in coastal areas such as Rokan Hilir, Bengkalis, and Dumai. To address this, authorities plan to increase land and aerial patrols to detect fire hotspots early.
“We hope this effort will significantly reduce the likelihood of fires. Riau has faced severe forest and land fires in the past, and we aim to prevent such events from repeating this year,” Ghafur said.