“Following the success of artificial rain seeding in Riau since July 21, 2025, operations began in West Kalimantan on July 24 and have already shown initial results with light rainfall on the first day,” BMKG Deputy for Weather Modification, Tri Handoko Seto, stated in Jakarta on Saturday.
Seto explained that the expansion is being conducted gradually in provinces prone to forest and land fires across Sumatra, including West Sumatra, North Sumatra, South Sumatra, and Jambi. Each region is deploying aircraft suited to its geographical characteristics.
In West Sumatra, operations are scheduled from July 25 to 29, using a Grand Caravan 208B aircraft.
In North Sumatra, the operation runs from July 26 to 31, supported by an Indonesian Air Force Casa 212-200 aircraft.
Meanwhile, Jambi Province is conducting operations from July 25 to 31, utilizing a Thrush S2R-T34 aircraft.
“In South Sumatra, the operation is scheduled to begin on July 26, following the issuance of an instruction letter from BNPB,” Seto remarked.
He emphasized that the success of artificial rain relies heavily on inter-agency collaboration and the use of real-time atmospheric data-based technology.
In this context, Seto affirmed that the BMKG and BNPB are committed to making weather modification technology a key part of the national strategy to mitigate forest and land fires—an approach that is adaptive, precise, and collaborative.
Related news: BMKG's artificial rain douses all Riau hotspots
Related news: BMKG records 294 hotspots in Riau; most in Rokan Hilir
Related news: Riau weather modification extended to prevent fires
Translator: Primayanti
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
