{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1941660,
        "msgid": "indonesia-turns-to-borewells-as-drought-hampers-firefighting-1787745017",
        "date": "2026-08-26 17:54:45",
        "title": "Indonesia turns to borewells as drought hampers firefighting",
        "author": "",
        "source": "ANTARA_EN",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Environment",
        "summary": "Indonesia is deploying deep borewells in peatland areas of Sumatra and Kalimantan as prolonged drought renders weather modification ineffective and surface water evaporates. The Ministry of Forestry, military and police are collaborating to drill wells that access underground water reserves to fight forest and land fires ahead of the September peak. Officials warn that dry conditions could persist for up to 60 days without rain.",
        "content": "<p>Agus Yasin, head of public information services at the ministry, said\non Wednesday that the prolonged drought had made weather modification\nand artificial rain increasingly difficult and less effective.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCloud formations are becoming increasingly scarce. As a result, more\nground personnel are being deployed, making firefighting efforts more\neffective,\u201d he said during an online discussion.<\/p>\n<p>The latest data from Indonesia\u2019s Meteorology, Climatology, and\nGeophysics Agency (BMKG) showed that extreme dry conditions had\npersisted for an extended period and could continue for another two\nmonths, Agus said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBMKG told us that the dry season has lasted nearly 30 days without\nrain. This could potentially extend to 60 days without rain,\u201d he\nsaid.<\/p>\n<p>To address surface water shortages caused by evaporation, joint teams\nfrom the Forestry Ministry, military, police, and other agencies are\ndrilling wells deep into peatland areas.<\/p>\n<p>The move is based on the fact that peatlands form hydrological units\ncapable of retaining water reserves at certain depths, Agus said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe simply drill wells directly into the ground to reach the water.\nThis is now being maximized to control fires, particularly in Sumatra\nand Kalimantan,\u201d Agus said.<\/p>\n<p>Separately, Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni had called for\nadditional borewells to address water shortages while tackling forest\nand land fires in South Kalimantan ahead of the peak of the dry season\nin September.<\/p>\n<p>He said firefighters were already using several borewells, including\nthose around Syamsudin Noor International Airport, where the surrounding\nland is prone to fires.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBorewells have become the main water source when firefighting teams\nhave difficulty obtaining water,\u201d Raja said on August 23.<\/p>\n<p>Related news: Prabowo hopes forest fires can be extinguished within\ntwo weeks<\/p>\n<p>Related news: Indonesia adds hydrant wells to prevent recurring\npeatland fires<\/p>\n<p>Related news: BNPB urges public to wear mask amid wildfires<\/p>\n<p>Translator: Sean FM, Rahmad Nasution<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesia-turns-to-borewells-as-drought-hampers-firefighting-1787745017",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}