Indonesia Boosts Cloud Seeding Against Kalimantan Wildfires
The Indonesian government is expanding weather modification operations and ground response efforts to combat wildfires across Kalimantan.
Indonesia is intensifying its cloud seeding efforts to combat wildfires in Kalimantan. The government, led by the Ministry of Forestry, is employing weather modification operations (OMC) in conjunction with ground suppression, patrols, early detection, and coordination across various ministries and regional governments.
In West Kalimantan, OMC was conducted from August 13 to 17, 2026, with nine flight sorties producing an estimated rainfall volume of 10.92 million cubic meters in the affected area. A resumption of OMC is scheduled from August 23 to 27, 2026, pending weather forecasts and coordination with relevant stakeholders.
Central Kalimantan experienced OMC from July 27 to August 4 and again from August 11 to 15, 2026. These operations yielded an estimated rainfall volume of approximately 4.8 million cubic meters. However, the weather in Central Kalimantan is expected to remain predominantly dry, limiting the window for cloud seeding operations.
South Kalimantan authorities are closely monitoring weather conditions and wildfire development. Cloud seeding operations will be contingent on cloud availability and operational demands. Air support and ground suppression are both crucial in managing forest and land fires, with the government constantly adjusting its strategies based on actual field conditions.
Written by urgent.news from Tempo.co English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
