Make it rain: Indonesia chases clouds to stem El Nino fires

Indonesia is seeking to use cloud seeding to combat a potentially devastating wildfire season, driven by a strong El Nino. The Southeast Asian nation, home to vast rainforests and protected species, has already seen over 100,000 hectares burn in the first half of this year alone. Meteorologist Safillah Anggie Wahyuni believes cloud seeding can help optimize clouds capable of producing rain, but experts question its effectiveness during the dry season.

Indonesia has carried out 252 cloud-seeding operations since 2021, up from 85 in the previous decade, with most aimed at drawing rain away from flooded areas or dousing wildfires. Activists argue that cloud seeding is a temporary fix that fails to address underlying problems, such as the conversion of rainforests and peatlands for agriculture.

Indonesia is also investing in peatland rewetting and monitoring fire hotspots with satellites and ground patrols, but the effectiveness of cloud seeding remains uncertain.