Jatiwaringin Landfill Fire Rages On, Residents Pray for Rain

As the fire at the Jatiwaringin Final Processing Site (TPA) in Mauk District, Tangerang Regency, entered its fourth day, hundreds of residents held an Istisqa prayer in the yard of the Jami Al Mujahidin Mosque near the location on Friday (3/7). The worship was performed to pray for rain to help accelerate the extinguishing of the fire that has been burning since Tuesday (30/6). Congregants began arriving at around 07:30 WIB. Before the prayer began, the imam explained the procedures for performing the Istisqa prayer. At around 07:45 WIB, the congregational prayer was held and followed by a collective supplication. The Chairman of the Indonesian Mosque Council (DMI) for Mauk District, Agus Romadhoni, said the Istisqa prayer was held as a form of spiritual effort amidst the fire that has had a broad impact on the community. Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) is still reviewing plans for a weather modification operation (OMC) as a step to accelerate the extinguishing of the fire. BNPB Director of Operation Control Coordination Brigadier General TNI Djohan Darmawan said the implementation of OMC is still waiting for favourable atmospheric conditions based on monitoring results from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG). He stated that they are waiting for clouds to appear over the Jatiwaringin area before carrying out the artificial rain operation, which he hoped could be executed within two to three days. It is known that the Jatiwaringin TPA fire has been ongoing since Tuesday (30/6) earlier this week. Entering the fourth day, joint officers are still trying to extinguish the flames burning the waste piles. However, approximately 30 percent of the previously burned area has reportedly been brought under control. Thick smoke continues to billow into the air and drift westward following the wind. Extinguishing efforts are being carried out in an integrated manner via air and land routes. Two water bombing helicopters belonging to the BNPB have been redeployed to douse hotspots that are difficult to reach from the ground, while firefighters continue spraying at several points. In addition to extinguishing, heavy equipment such as excavators is being operated to break down the wetted waste piles. This step aims to open access to hotspots located deep within the waste mountains while preventing embers from reigniting. Access roads from the Jatiwaringin TPA area towards Sukadiri District remain restricted. The route is only permitted for operational vehicles of the fire department, military, police, medical personnel, and related agencies involved in handling the fire. Djohan Darmawan added that approximately 30 percent of the burned area has been successfully extinguished, but strong wind gusts remain a major challenge as they cause the fire to spread easily. To accelerate handling, 30 Manggala Agni personnel from the Ministry of Forestry will be involved in the acceleration of extinguishing by applying the inject method.