Water Bombing Ineffective as Fire Still Rages at Jatiwaringin Landfill

Aerial firefighting efforts using a water bombing technique at the Jatiwaringin Final Disposal Site (TPA) in Mauk District, Tangerang Regency, Banten, have yet to yield significant results, with flames still visible at several points. The operation, conducted on Wednesday afternoon (1/7), utilised a helicopter belonging to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).

Based on observations at the location, the helicopter arrived at approximately 16:55 WIB and immediately began dropping water on hotspots in the northern part of the landfill. This area is difficult for ground-based firefighters to reach. The helicopter collected water from a nearby lake before returning to conduct further drops. The water bombing process lasted around 20 minutes.

Despite the aerial intervention, the fire has not been fully extinguished. As of Wednesday evening, personnel from the Tangerang Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) were still battling the remaining hotspots. Thick smoke continued to billow from the landfill area and spread to nearby residential neighbourhoods. The aerial operation drew the attention of local residents, who gathered around the site to watch the helicopter in action.

BNPB Director of Emergency Operations Control Coordination, Brigadier General TNI Djohan Darmawan, stated that in addition to relying on water bombing, the agency is preparing weather modification technology (TMC) operations to help accelerate the extinguishing process. “BNPB is also preparing two TMC units. Therefore, we need clouds to sow the salt,” Djohan said at the fire location. He explained that the BNPB is currently coordinating with the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) to monitor atmospheric conditions before the cloud seeding operation can commence. “We are waiting for BMKG to confirm whether there are clouds above, because TMC is weather modification,” he clarified.

The fire at the Jatiwaringin landfill broke out on Tuesday (30/6) at around 11:00 WIB. As of Wednesday evening, the fire had still not been completely extinguished, prompting continued integrated handling efforts via both ground and air routes.