Natuna Regency Conducts Weather Modification Operation to Address Forest and Land Fires

Natuna (ANTARA) - The Natuna Regency Government (Pemkab Natuna), Riau Islands Province, is conducting a weather modification operation (OMC) to address drought and forest and land fires (karhutla) in the region. The Head of the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) of Natuna Regency, Raja Darmika, confirmed from Bintan on Friday that the operation began on 2 April 2026 and is ongoing. OMC involves the planned manipulation of weather conditions, such as increasing rainfall. In Natuna, this operation is focused on boosting rain intensity to help extinguish fire points and mitigate drought impacts. According to him, this step is necessary due to fire points that are difficult to access by land routes, requiring aerial intervention to expedite handling. In addition to OMC, Pemkab Natuna has received support through aerial operations involving firefighting with helicopters using water bombing methods. However, water bombing operations are not being conducted today due to the relatively small and thinly spread fires. He added that the combination of weather modification operations and aerial patrols is expected to accelerate karhutla control and prevent the fires from spreading further in Natuna.