Minister Explains Why Weather Modification Cannot Be Used to Fight Bromo Fires

Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni has stated that weather modification operations (OMC) cannot be carried out to induce rain over the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS) in East Java. Speaking during a visit to the fire-affected area, he explained that the operation is highly dependent on the availability of potential clouds with sufficient water vapour content and adequate microphysical characteristics for seeding. Based on coordination and atmospheric analysis by the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), meteorological conditions are not expected to support effective OMC implementation for the next ten days.

Raja Juli clarified that OMC is not a process of creating rain from cloudless atmospheric conditions, but rather an effort to optimise the natural rain formation process in clouds that already meet specific requirements. He noted that the BMKG forecast indicates limited potential for the growth and availability of target clouds meeting operational criteria, making the chances of successful cloud seeding suboptimal. The decision to proceed with OMC will be based on scientific assessments and actual atmospheric conditions to ensure timely, targeted, and effective operations.

Meanwhile, the Minister has instructed a total temporary closure of the TNBTS area following the fires that began on 3 August 2026. The closure, announced by the TNBTS Centre, applies to all tourist entry points to allow firefighting resources to concentrate on controlling the blaze and to prioritise public safety. The park authority has also announced a refund and reschedule mechanism for visitors with bookings from 9 to 11 August 2026, or until the area reopens.