Weather Modification Successfully Lowers Rain, Helps Repress The Impact Of Forest And Land Fires In Solok Regency

Solok Regent Jon Firman Pandu while attending the Weather Modification Operation (OMC) conducted by the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) to help reduce the impact of forest and land fires in Solok Regency, West Sumatra. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Solok Regency Government's efforts to reduce the impact of forest and land fires (karhutla) and extreme drought have finally paid off. The Weather Modification Operation (OMC) carried out by the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) succeeded in reducing rain with light to moderate intensity in a number of areas in Solok Regency, West Sumatra.

"Alhamdulillah, our struggle to BNPB has paid off. BMKG has carried out weather modifications and the rain is starting to fall," said Solok Regent Jon Firman Pandu, on Sunday in Solok.

According to him, the rainfall has greatly helped reduce drought that has hit the area in the last two months, as well as ease the burden on the community, especially in the agricultural sector and the availability of clean water.

The head of the Minangkabau Meteorological Station, Desindra Dedi Kurniawan, explained that the OMC was carried out for five days and focused on two districts that had established emergency response status, namely Solok Regency and Limapuluh Kota Regency.

This OMC move is the result of intense coordination between the regional government and the central government. Regent Jon Firman Pandu even went directly to the office of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) in Jakarta to report the emergency situation in his area and seek disaster management assistance.

Previously, the Regent of Solok had reported that forest and land fires and drought had caused serious disruption to clean water supplies and agricultural activities. As of July 19, 2025, the Solok Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) recorded 92 disasters, with 83 of them being cases of forest and land fires.

In addition, there were two cases of house fires, six incidents of fallen trees, and one tornado. In July alone, there were 20 forest and land fires and two fallen trees. Even according to data from the BMKG, the Solok Regency area had experienced days without rain for more than 60 consecutive days.

The Solok Regency Government has designated the emergency response status of forest and land fires as a response to the long dry season. The impact is felt in the field, especially by people who depend on agriculture.

Weather modifications were carried out as part of disaster mitigation measures with full support from BNPB and BMKG. BMKG data shows that Solok Regency and Limapuluh Kota are priority areas due to the high level of drought and frequency of fire.

The success of this program is considered as a tangible manifestation of the synergy between the regional and central governments in overcoming natural disasters. The Solok Regency Government also ensures that monitoring of weather conditions will continue, and is ready to return to coordination if the emergency conditions have not improved.

"With the rain, we are very grateful. This is a new hope for farmers and the affected communities," concluded Regent Jon Firman Pandu.