Indonesia tests dry ice to disperse haze in South Sumatra
JAKARTA: Indonesia has begun testing the use of dry ice to disperse thick haze caused by forest fires in South Sumatra, deploying 1,600kg in an experimental weather modification operation yesterday.
Indonesia has initiated an experimental weather modification operation using dry ice to disperse the thick haze caused by forest fires in South Sumatra. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) deployed 1,600kg of dry ice in two separate flights, each carrying 800kg, targeting areas around Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International Airport in Palembang.
Preliminary reports suggest an improvement in visibility, increasing from about 650 metres to 2,800 metres. This technique, unlike conventional methods, does not rely on rain clouds and aims to disrupt atmospheric conditions that trap smoke near the ground, allowing it to rise and disperse. The dry ice is dispersed at an altitude of approximately 4,500 feet using a Cessna Caravan aircraft that departed from Lampung province.
The trial is set to continue until October 18, after which results will be evaluated, and further discussions will take place on expanding the technique to other affected areas.
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Also reported by 1 other outlet
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