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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Disasters & Emergencies

Indonesia's BNPB drops 4.6 million liters of water on fires amid challenges

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has deployed 4.6 million liters of water via aerial operations to combat land fires in priority provinces.
  • Operations face challenges including the difficulty of extinguishing peat fires, dwindling water sources, and poor visibility hindering both aerial and ground crews.
  • The agency is employing a dual approach of ground and aerial operations, alongside weather modification efforts, to control the blazes across provinces like West and South Kalimantan.

Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has intensified its efforts to combat widespread land fires, having dropped 4.6 million liters of water through aerial operations as of Wednesday. The agency is focusing on priority provinces including West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, South Sumatra, Jambi, and Riau.

We have repeatedly highlighted the obstacles, particularly the nature of peatlands, which makes them difficult to overcome. Burning peat naturally demands a lot of water, and water sources are currently dwindling and far from several hotspots.

— Berton SP PanjaitanThe Acting Head of BNPB's Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center explained the primary challenges faced in combating the land fires.

Despite these significant efforts, the operations are hampered by persistent obstacles. Berton SP Panjaitan, Acting Head of BNPB's Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center, highlighted the challenging nature of peatlands, which require substantial amounts of water to extinguish. Compounding the issue, water sources are scarce and located far from many active hotspots. Additionally, unfavorable climate and weather conditions complicate aerial maneuvers, while poor visibility continues to impede ground crews.

Even so, we continue to pursue measures to address water shortages, including drilling wells and digging canals to direct water toward the nearest hotspots.

— Berton SP PanjaitanBNPB's Acting Head detailed the agency's proactive steps to mitigate water scarcity during firefighting operations.

To address the water shortage, BNPB is implementing measures such as drilling wells and digging canals to direct water to nearby hotspots. The agency is deploying a combined strategy of ground and aerial operations, with ground response serving as the primary defense. Hotspot counts vary significantly across provinces, with West Kalimantan reporting 2,610 and Central Kalimantan 2,110, while South Kalimantan has 817, South Sumatra 1,438, Riau 225, and Jambi 134.

We need to inform you that rain has been falling in several districts in West Kalimantan since yesterday, this is due to the work of the weather modification operations.

— Berton SP PanjaitanBNPB's Acting Head reported on the success of weather modification efforts in inducing rainfall.

Furthermore, BNPB is conducting weather modification operations, which have reportedly contributed to rainfall in several districts of West Kalimantan. The agency urges residents to remain vigilant, follow official guidance, and refrain from igniting fires in affected areas, emphasizing the collective responsibility in preventing further spread.

Please continue to follow guidance from local officials and field officers. Do not burn, of course, in forest and land fire areas. Do not litter. Also, do not throw cigarette butts carelessly.

— Berton SP PanjaitanBNPB's Acting Head urged residents to exercise caution and adhere to safety guidelines to prevent further fires.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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