Minister of Forestry inspects forest fire suppression, calls for maximised weather modification in South Sumatra

The Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, inspected the handling of forest and land fires (karhutla) to directly monitor suppression efforts and requested that weather modification operations (OMC) be maximised in Ibul Besar 1 Village, Ogan Ilir Regency, South Sumatra, on Monday.

In a statement confirmed from Jakarta on Monday, Minister Raja Juli Antoni conducted the inspection alongside the Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNNP), Lieutenant General TNI Suharyanto, and the Governor of South Sumatra, Herman Deru, noting that smoke was visible from the Kapal Betung Toll Road KM 366.

“Because, ultimately, the most effective method is indeed OMC—Weather Modification Operations. Wherever there is cloud potential, it must be maximised,” said Minister Raja Antoni.

This was stated during a coordination meeting (Rakor) for forest fire handling in Palembang, South Sumatra, where the Minister requested that all opportunities for OMC be utilised. He highlighted that OMC serves as a vital joint effort alongside water bombing and ground forces in managing forest fires.

He encouraged this approach because, according to reports from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), South Sumatra has potential cloud formation from today until 3 September.

The Minister ensured that airport operations remain open from morning until night so that the OMC process can be carried out whenever potential clouds are present.

The Ministry of Forestry is also strengthening its forces with the deployment of over 1,000 personnel under operational control (BKO). This addition is expected to assist with supporting tasks in the field and to anticipate fatigue among the troops on duty.