Enviro News Asia, Jakarta – The Ministry of Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia will carry out weather modification operations, such as artificial rain, to address forest and land fires in Riau Province.
Cooperation has been established with the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) for the technical implementation.
This weather modification initiative follows the visit of Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni to Riau Province on July 23, 2025. During the visit, the Minister emphasized the importance of strengthening coordination among stakeholders to combat forest and land fires in the region.
“The Ministry of Forestry is making maximum efforts to tackle the fires using various methods,” said Director General of Forestry Law Enforcement, Dwi Januanto Nugroho, in an official statement in Jakarta, Friday (July 25, 2025).
To support ground firefighting operations in Rokan Hilir Regency, Riau Province, the Ministry of Forestry has deployed 8 Manggala Agni teams, totaling 120 personnel.
In addition, joint patrols are being conducted in Bengkalis Regency, Dumai City, Indragiri Hilir Regency, Kampar Regency, Meranti Islands Regency, Pelalawan Regency, and Siak Regency.
Specifically, for weather modification operations, efforts are not only focused on extinguishing fire hotspots but also on wetting peatlands. “This is a preventive measure to keep the land moist and reduce the risk of ignition,” said Dwi Januanto. (*)
