Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan (ANTARA) - The National Agency for Disaster Countermeasures (BNPB) is preparing to deploy an innovative iceberg technology to help clear smoke from the atmosphere before conducting weather modification operations to support firefighting efforts in Kalimantan.
"Iceberg technology will clear the smoke-covered atmosphere, which is expected to support the formation of rain clouds as part of the forest and land fire management efforts," BNPB Head Kristomei Sianturi said during his inspection of the forest and land fire mitigation efforts in Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, on Monday.
He said weather modification operations would follow, using sodium chloride (NaCl) to induce rainfall, ease dry conditions, and support firefighting efforts in affected areas.
"A similar approach has previously been implemented in South Sulawesi, and we will try in Kalimantan," he said.
According to him, the measures were part of broader efforts to tackle forest and land fires, with rainfall expected to ease dry conditions and support firefighting operations.
Sianturi then mentioned assistance offered by neighboring countries, as announced separately by the Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, Dudung Abdurachman, stating that Malaysia and Singapore had offered help in fire-extinguishing efforts.
However, Sianturi did not specify further details on the proposals.
He emphasized that accelerating the response and strengthening cross-sector coordination can support more effective forest and land fire mitigation, with the use of technological innovation to help control the fires and reduce the risk of spreading to the affected area.
The agency hopes these measures will strengthen forest and land fire mitigation in South Kalimantan through technology, cross-sector coordination, and firefighting strategies tailored to local conditions.
As of October 13, a joint force of 60,177 personnel, including firefighters, military, police, Forestry Ministry and regional forestry staff, as well as volunteers, had been deployed to mitigate forest and land fires.
Helicopters, aircraft, and other assets have also been deployed for water bombing and weather modification to support firefighting efforts.
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Translator: Tumpal Andani, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Bayu Prasetyo
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