Indonesia deploys cloud seeding, water bombing to combat wildfire haze

Indonesia is escalating its battle against widespread wildfires, employing cloud seeding and water bombing to combat the toxic haze that has engulfed Borneo and Sumatra islands. The crisis has left millions struggling to breathe and seeking medical attention for respiratory ailments.

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Vulnerable groups that must be evaluated are children, the elderly, pregnant women with asthma and outdoor workers.

Deputy health minister Dante Saksono Harbuwono reported that over five million people are directly exposed to the risks of the putrid haze. In July and August alone, some 13,500 individuals were treated for respiratory infections. The severe air pollution has forced intermittent school closures and affected residents in neighboring Singapore and Malaysia.

"Vulnerable groups that must be evaluated are children, the elderly, pregnant women with asthma and outdoor workers," Dante stated. In response, the health ministry has distributed over five million masks across the archipelago. Non-governmental organizations have established shelters in Palangkaraya, the capital of Central Kalimantan, to provide care for affected children.

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There’s a lot of smoke at my house. In the morning it’s not too bad, but in the afternoon and evening there’s so much dust, like there’s a fire nearby. It really bothers my breathing.

The Disaster agency BNPB confirmed intensified efforts, including cloud seeding operations that have shown success in prompting light to moderate rains over Sumatra and Kalimantan. "Cloud seeding remains one of the measures to support efforts to tackle forest and land fires," said BNPB spokesman Berton Suar Pelita Panjaitan. He added that ground and air task forces are actively engaged in extinguishing and cooling operations, having already deployed over four million liters of water.

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My children often have coughs and colds, maybe because there is a lot of smoke.

This year's fires are exacerbated by a super-charged El Nino weather event, dubbed "Godzilla," which has intensified dry conditions across the region. The government's multi-pronged approach aims to bring relief to affected populations and mitigate the environmental impact of the ongoing disaster.

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Cloud seeding remains one of the measures to support efforts to tackle forest and land fires. Its implementation depends heavily on atmospheric conditions and the presence of rain-bearing clouds in the target areas.