The intervention comes after Palembang recorded some of its worst air quality levels of the year.
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Indonesian disaster management authorities have launched aerial operations using tonnes of dry ice to disperse thick haze originating from forest and peatland fires across South Sumatra
Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) initially dropped 2.4 tonnes of solid carbon dioxide over 15 and 16 October after dense smoke severely restricted visibility at Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International Airport in Palembang, causing flight disruptions and triggering acute health warnings for residents, according to Indonesian news site Tirto.
Official weather modification missions have since been extended until 25 October, while ground teams continue to battle ongoing fires.
The haze situation in Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan province, Indonesia.
Image via New Straits TimesDuring the initial two-day aerial campaign, BNPB aircraft carried out three missions, totalling more than seven hours of flight time
Operating from Raden Inten II Airport in Bandar Lampung, the aircraft carried 800kg of dry ice per trip to disperse over Palembang airspace.
Data from Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency revealed that visibility at Palembang's airport stood at just 1km at 1pm following the initial drop.
Visibility subsequently expanded to between 1.5km and 2km, before stabilising at 2.8km after follow-up deployments. By 8.30pm, visibility had reached 3km, accompanied by a noticeable improvement in overall air quality index readings across the provincial capital.
The aerial operation continued on 17 October with an additional 800kg deployment over Palembang, bringing the total amount of dry ice used to at least 3.2 tonnes
Alongside the dry ice drops, separate aircraft dispersed sodium chloride, or common salt, over surrounding areas where atmospheric conditions favoured cloud formation and rainfall.
The Forestry Ministry confirmed that the broader weather modification framework will run for 10 days until 25 October, with flight paths continually adjusted based on real-time atmospheric shifts.
Unlike standard cloud seeding designed to induce immediate rainfall, the use of dry ice specifically targets atmospheric inversion layers
An inversion occurs when a blanket of warm air settles above cooler surface air, trapping smoke, ash, and industrial pollutants close to the ground.
By dispersing solid carbon dioxide into the upper atmosphere, meteorologists aim to break the thermal inversion layer, allowing trapped haze to dissipate upwards.
Once the inversion weakens and suitable rain clouds form, authorities can seamlessly transition to salt seeding to induce heavy downpours.
The intervention comes after Palembang endured some of its worst air quality levels of the year
On 8 October, visibility plunged to a mere 400m, forcing multiple civilian flights to delay landings or divert away from Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Airport.
Authorities identified Ogan Komering Ilir Regency as the primary hotspot source emitting dense smoke plumes towards the provincial capital, making the area a focal point for both ground-based firefighting units and water-bombing helicopters.
Despite the marked improvement in regional flight conditions, officials remain cautious about declaring the trial an absolute success
Berton Panjaitan, acting head of BNPB's Disaster Data, Information and Communication Centre, emphasised that further scientific research is required to isolate the exact impact of the dry ice from natural weather changes.
Nevertheless, South Sumatra Governor Herman Deru welcomed the clearer skies over Palembang and requested that the pilot project continue throughout the dry season.
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