JAKARTA (Oct 15): Indonesia has begun using dry ice to disperse thick haze caused by forest fires in South Sumatra by deploying 1,600 kilogrammes in an experimental weather modification operation on Thursday.

National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Disaster Data, Information and Communication Centre acting head Berton Panjaitan said the operation involved two flights, each carrying 800 kilogrammes of dry ice, targeting areas surrounding Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International Airport in Palembang.

“Preliminary reports indicate an improvement in visibility around the seeding area, from approximately 650 metres to 2,800 metres,” he said in a statement on Thursday.

South Sumatra is among Indonesia's six priority provinces for forest and land fire suppression operations, alongside Riau, Jambi, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan and South Kalimantan.

Berton said the operation used a Cessna Caravan aircraft, which departed from Raden Inten II Airport in neighbouring Lampung province and dispersed dry ice at an altitude of about 4,500 feet.

He explained that the technique aims to disrupt atmospheric conditions that trap thick smoke near the ground, allowing it to rise and disperse to improve visibility, unlike conventional weather modification using sodium chloride to stimulate rainfall, which depends on the availability of rain clouds.

He said the trial would continue until Oct 18, after which the results would be evaluated and further discussions held with relevant parties on whether to expand the technique to other areas affected by forest and land fires.

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