Overcoming Forest And Land Fires, South Kalimantan Prepares Weather Modification

ANTARA/Tumpal Andani Aritonang

BANJARBAR- The Regional Disaster Management Agency of South Kalimantan Province (BPBD South Kalimantan) said the implementation of the weather modification technique (TMC) due to forest and land fires (karhutla) in the local province is estimated to be in July.

The implementation of TMC obtained permission from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) and the Peat Restoration Agency (BRG) as the institution in charge of TMC.

"We have held a meeting with relevant ministries and institutions, the implementation of weather modifications in the sky in South Kalimantan is still waiting for directions," said Raden Suria Fadliansyah as quoted by ANTARA, Friday, June 30.

He said TMC would take advantage of potential clouds to bring rain in the South Kalimantan sky.

The implementation of the weather modification technique (TMC) is a step to tackle the rise of forest and land fires in the dry season today.

"South Kalimantan is entering a long dry season, there have been many forest and land fires, so we need weather engineering to bring rain," he said.

Raden revealed that his party maintains regular communication with BRG regarding the definite schedule for the implementation of TMC in South Kalimantan.

His party is still waiting for the arrival of a helicopter from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).

The South Kalimantan BPBD has proposed as many as two forest and land fire patrol helicopters and eight water bombing helicopters to extinguish the fire and land fires.

Raden said South Kalimantan is dominated by areas that are difficult to reach by land transportation, so he hopes that helicopters will be delivered as soon as possible from the center.

He estimates that the BNPB will first bring in two helicopters in early July to maximize the patrol of forest and land fires in South Kalimantan.

"Until today, a total of 2,521 hotspots have spread in South Kalimantan," he said.