Antara News·Indonesia·Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 03:19 PM UTC

BMKG uses dry ice seeding to tackle fire haze in Sumatra, Kalimantan

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Riezko Bima, Kuntum Khaira

..the dry ice operation seeks to alter atmospheric stability in the upper layers, particularly under dry conditions when rain-producing clouds are limited.

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) is using dry ice in weather modification operations aimed at dispersing thick haze from forest and land fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan.

The operation seeks to overcome atmospheric inversion layers that trap smoke close to the ground, particularly when rain-producing clouds are scarce, BMKG Deputy Head for Weather Modification Tri Handoko Seto said on Tuesday.

Dense smoke from forest and land fires can become trapped in the lower atmosphere at altitudes of 6,000 to 7,000 feet because of inversion layers that act like a lid, restricting vertical air movement, Seto said.

Aircraft release dry ice above the inversion layer, where its sublimation is intended to induce cooling and help restore convective airflow, allowing smoke to rise and disperse.

Seto said the technique differs from conventional cloud seeding, which aims to induce rainfall. Instead, the dry ice operation seeks to alter atmospheric stability in the upper layers, particularly under dry conditions when rain-producing clouds are limited.

BMKG is assessing the operation’s effectiveness by monitoring visibility and concentrations of fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, particularly in critical areas such as airports.

Preliminary monitoring over several days has indicated improvements in air quality, including a gradual improvement in visibility in Palembang, the capital of South Sumatra, the agency said.

Seto said BMKG would continue monitoring atmospheric conditions and analysing data to assess the operation’s effectiveness and track its impact over time.

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