Enviro News Asia, Jambi – To prevent forest and land fires, Weather Modification Operations (OMC) are being carried out in Jambi Province and South Sumatra Province, both prone to wildfires.
The operation is conducted by the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the Indonesian Air Force, and the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), in collaboration with leading private company APP Group through its business unit PT Wirakarya Sakti (WKS).
The Weather Modification Operation runs from August 10 to 19, 2025.
The launch ceremony was held on Tuesday (12/8/2025) at Sultan Thaha Airport, Jambi, which will serve as the coordination post for cloud seeding operations using hygroscopic materials (salt) throughout the 10–19 August period.
The cloud seeding technology, carried out with Indonesian Air Force aircraft, aims to increase rainfall potential, replenish water reserves, and maintain soil moisture in fire-prone areas.
“On the first day, we spread 1,600 kilograms of salt. Today, we conducted two more sorties with the same amount. This is part of our support to help implement OMC in priority areas,” said Brigadier General Heri Purwanto, Commander of the Forest and Land Fire Task Force, in Jambi on Tuesday (12/8/2025).
The OMC in Jambi and South Sumatra is part of a broader BMKG weather modification initiative in various wildfire-prone regions, including Riau, West Kalimantan, and North Sumatra.
Every day, the joint team monitors weather data, soil moisture, and cloud movement to ensure targeted cloud seeding.
“This activity is supported by PT Wirakarya Sakti (APP Group), with a maximum of two sorties per day. Each sortie carries 800 kilograms of salt, making a total of 1,600 kg daily. The salt is spread over OMC target areas, particularly peatlands in Tanjung Jabung Timur, Muaro Jambi, and Musi Banyuasin,” said BMKG’s Director of Weather Modification Management, Edison Kurniawan.
These areas are highly vulnerable, with groundwater levels recorded between minus 60 cm and minus 80 cm. “Such conditions need to be anticipated to maintain land moisture and prevent fires,” Edison added.
In line with this, APP Group reaffirmed its commitment to this collaboration, not only to protect its operational areas but also to contribute to national wildfire prevention efforts.
“APP Group, through PT Wirakarya Sakti, fully supports the government’s efforts to prevent forest and land fires. The Weather Modification Operation is proof of cross-sector collaboration involving the government, private sector, and communities to protect the environment and safeguard public health from the impacts of fires. We hope such synergy will continue to be strengthened in the future,” said PT Wirakarya Sakti President Director, Didi Harsa.
Since 2021, APP Group has integrated OMC into its Integrated Fire Management strategy, which covers prevention, preparedness, early detection, and rapid response.
This year’s support for OMC in Jambi and South Sumatra underscores APP Group’s role as an active government partner in achieving zero fires and preserving environmental sustainability. (*)
