Riau Weather Modification Operation Has Semai 14 Tons of Salt

PEKANBARU - The Indonesian Air Force together with the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has carried out a Weather Modification Operation (OMC) in Riau Province by sowing 14 sorties or 14 tons of salt.

Head of the Roesmin Nurjadin Pekanbaru Airport Operations Office, Colonel Pnb Andri Setyawan, explained that this activity was a continuation of the previous operation. According to him, OMC considered meteorological analysis which showed the potential for cloud growth in the target area.

"This weather modification operation is expected to help the efforts to prevent and overcome forest fires in the Riau region effectively," said Colonel Andri as quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, February 26.

His party is intensifying the implementation of OMC in the Riau Province with the latest activities of Dumai City and Rupat Island, Bengkalis Regency. This effort is a strategic step in preventing and combating forest and land fires (Karhutla) through the air.

OMC uses a Cessna C208B/PK-AKR aircraft, flown by Captain, Bintang. The seeding was carried out in the seeding area (blocking area) with a radius of 350 degrees to 30 degrees and an estimated distance of 60 to 90 nautical miles (NM).

The determination of the target area is the result of analysis and recommendations from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG). From the related elements actively monitor weather conditions and cloud growth to ensure that seeding can be carried out effectively and accurately.

The seeding was carried out at an altitude of 8,000 to 10,000 feet using 1,000 kilograms of sodium chloride (NaCl) seed material. This entered the 9th day of the OMC implementation since the establishment of the Karhutla Alert status in Riau Province on February 13, 2026.

"This achievement shows a strong synergy between the Indonesian Air Force, BNPB, BMKG including the Regional Disaster Management Agency and Riau Fire Service (BPBD and Damkar)," he said.