South Kalimantan Turns to Cloud Seeding as Forest Fires Spread Amid Dry Season

The South Kalimantan provincial government, in cooperation with the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), has launched a cloud seeding operation to address worsening forest and land fires (karhutla) in the region. The operation commenced on 15 July 2026 and is scheduled to run for one week, utilising a Cessna aircraft provided by the BNPB. Roni Eka Saputra, Head of the South Kalimantan Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), confirmed that the operation had already produced rain in the Banjarbaru area. The province is currently under a state of emergency for forest and land fires, alongside the regencies of Barito Kuala, Tapin, and Tanah Bumbu. Authorities have also proposed aerial water bombing to the BNPB as a contingency measure should conditions worsen. Data from the BPBD operations control centre indicates nearly 2,500 hotspots have been detected across the province. Firefighting efforts are divided into three priority rings, with the first ring covering Banjarbaru and parts of Banjar, Barito Kuala, and Tanah Laut regencies. This area is prioritised due to the presence of Syamsudin Noor International Airport, where rapid response is critical to prevent disruption to flights.