Indonesia chases clouds to stem El Nino fires

Indonesia is employing cloud-seeding techniques to counter a severe El Nino-driven wildfire season, which threatens its rainforests and indigenous wildlife. Meteorologist Safillah Anggie Wahyuni believes the approach could help tackle the unprecedented blazes, which have burned over 285,000 hectares so far this year. Since 2021, Indonesia has conducted 252 cloud-seeding missions, up from 85 in the previous decade.

Most operations aim to draw rain away from flooded regions and extinguish wildfires or wet peatlands. However, experts question the technique's efficacy in the dry season when wildfires are most likely. While cloud seeding is considered a short-term mitigation measure, it could provide temporary relief during extreme weather events, according to BMKG weather modification director Budi Harsoyo.

Activists argue that cloud seeding should not divert attention from addressing the root causes, such as the large-scale conversion of rainforests and peatlands. Indonesia's tropical peatlands, essential carbon sinks when wet, become highly flammable when dry, exacerbating fire risks. The environment ministry has urged local governments to fortify preventive patrols and penalize illegal burning through fines and criminal penalties.

As a powerful El Nino event coincides with record-breaking fires, climate change is exacerbating the situation.