JAKARTA: Indonesia has begun testing the use of dry ice to disperse thick haze caused by forest fires in South Sumatra, deploying 1,600kg in an experimental weather modification operation yesterday.
National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Disaster Data, Information and Communication Centre acting head Berton Panjaitan said the operation involved two flights, each carrying 800kg of dry ice, targeting areas around Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International Airport in Palembang.
"Preliminary reports indicate an improvement in visibility around the seeding area, from approximately 650 metres to 2,800 metres," he said in a statement.
South Sumatra is among Indonesia's six priority provinces for forest and land fire suppression, alongside Riau, Jambi, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan and South Kalimantan.
Berton said the operation used a Cessna Caravan aircraft, which departed from Raden Inten II Airport in neighbouring Lampung province and dispersed dry ice at an altitude of about 4,500 feet.
He said the technique aimed to disrupt atmospheric conditions that trap thick smoke near the ground, allowing it to rise and disperse to improve visibility.
Unlike conventional weather modification, which uses sodium chloride to stimulate rainfall, the dry ice technique does not depend on the availability of rain clouds, he said.
The trial is scheduled to continue until Oct 18, after which the results will be evaluated and further discussions held with relevant parties on whether to expand the technique to other areas affected by forest and land fires.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd