{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1915887,
        "msgid": "government-optimises-cloud-seeding-to-tackle-forest-fires-in-riau-west-and-central-kalimantan-1786553634",
        "date": "2026-08-12 22:48:49",
        "title": "Government Optimises Cloud Seeding to Tackle Forest Fires in Riau, West and Central Kalimantan",
        "author": "",
        "source": "ANTARA_ID",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Environment",
        "summary": "The Indonesian Ministry of Forestry is intensifying weather modification operations (OMC) to combat forest and land fires, focusing on Riau, West Kalimantan, and Central Kalimantan. Coordination with the BMKG is crucial to identify optimal cloud growth, particularly as hotspots and smoke distribution increase in Kalimantan. The government also reiterated its warning against slash-and-burn land clearing, promising strict legal action against violators.",
        "content": "<p>The Ministry of Forestry is optimising cloud growth opportunities to\nstrengthen Weather Modification Operations (OMC) in tackling forest and\nland fires (karhutla), particularly in Riau, West Kalimantan, and\nCentral Kalimantan.<\/p>\n<p>Head of the Ministry\u2019s Public Relations and Foreign Cooperation\nBureau, Ristianto Pribadi, stated that coordination with the\nMeteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) is crucial for\ndetermining the most optimal regions and timing for the operations. \u201cFor\nthe implementation of OMC, we continue to coordinate with BMKG to\nobserve cloud growth potential and determine the most optimal time. West\nKalimantan and Central Kalimantan are of concern due to the increase in\nhotspots and smoke distribution,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Based on a BMKG report as of 12 August 2026, moderate to high cloud\ngrowth opportunities are present in West Kalimantan and Central\nKalimantan from 13 to 16 August. BMKG data indicates that hotspots in\nWest Kalimantan increased from 98 to 136 points compared to the previous\nday. Meanwhile, Central Kalimantan saw an increase from 29 to 78 points,\nand South Kalimantan from 10 to 31 points. This situation is a concern\nas smoke distribution has also been detected in several areas of\nKalimantan.<\/p>\n<p>BMKG also noted indications of transboundary haze from West\nKalimantan towards Sarawak. The OMC implementation in Central Kalimantan\nis taking place from 11 to 15 August, while the West Kalimantan OMC is\nscheduled for 13 to 17 August by optimising cloud growth potential.\nMeanwhile, OMC in Riau is ongoing from 30 July to 22 August.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe will continue to monitor and coordinate so that every favourable\nweather opportunity can be utilised optimally for handling forest and\nland fires,\u201d said Ristianto. The Ministry of Forestry reminded the\npublic and corporations not to clear land by burning. Ristianto stated\nthat any violations will be prosecuted through legal processes,\nemphasising that strict law enforcement is necessary to provide a\ndeterrent effect against land burners.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/government-optimises-cloud-seeding-to-tackle-forest-fires-in-riau-west-and-central-kalimantan-1786553634",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}