Forestry Minister calls for optimised weather modification as rain clouds expected over Riau
Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni has called for weather modification operations to be optimised, given the potential for rain clouds over Riau from 30 August to 1 September.
Speaking in Jakarta on Friday, the minister said the measure is crucial in tackling forest and land fires occurring in Riau Province.
“We are grateful that the potential for rain clouds in Riau still exists. In Central Kalimantan and West Kalimantan it is very difficult to carry out weather modification, but we have potential for rain on 30 and 31 August, as well as 1 September. The operations can be optimised to cover all of Riau,” said Raja Antoni.
During a coordination meeting following his inspection of fire handling efforts in Kerumutan, Pelalawan Regency, Riau Province, the minister said the rain cloud potential had previously been conveyed by the head of the Pekanbaru Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency, Warjono.
He added that he has coordinated with the BMKG, the National Disaster Management Agency and the Regional Disaster Management Agency so that every potential rain cloud can be utilised for weather modification.
“I have agreed with the head of BNPB and BMKG that no matter how small the potential for rain clouds, we will maximise whatever we can,” he said.
“Because we know that the most effective way to extinguish forest and land fires is rain, while water bombing and ground crews are the second and third options,” he added.
He also requested operational support to ensure that weather modification operations are not hindered.
Separately, Raja Antoni also called for the cooling process at fire locations in Pelalawan, Riau, to be completed, given that the potential for fires remains.
The minister explained that forest and land fires on peatland are not easy to extinguish because it is not only vegetation that burns, but also the soil itself. This condition means smoke remains thick even when flames are no longer visible.
“What burns is not only the trees, but the soil itself. In several places, as I have witnessed, the flames are already gone but the smoke remains thick,” he said.
Therefore, Raja Antoni reminded personnel not to leave the location before the cooling process is truly complete. He said fires can reignite if cooling is not carried out thoroughly and winds subsequently pick up.
“I continue to urge vigilance, because if the cooling process is not entirely thorough and the wind returns, it could flare up again. That potential still exists, so please finish the job and do not leave this place until it is truly complete,” he stressed.