Awaiting forest and ground fires, the Ministry of Forestry BMKG will turn into Riau early

Jakarta – The Government by the Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) with BMKG and BNPB held a meeting to discuss forest and ground fires (Karhutla). From this meeting, it appeared that the government would carry out early weather modification operations (OMC) in the Riau region. Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni explained that this early OMC was carried out after the BMKG saw that the Riau region would enter an early dry season that would take place in February 2026. This was done so that the water level was maintained in the turelands in the region to prevent soil drying that could cause forest fires. “We have been informed by the BMKG, especially in Riau, for example, in February it will start to dry, next year the weather modification operations will have to start, if it is still the rainy season, so the water level, on the ground, especially in the peat, we can expect, before drought and fires,” Raja Juli said to Jakarta Journalists, Central Jakarta. Browse to continue with the content Raja Juli said that the Riau region specifically has two dry seasons. He said this initial dry season occurred when some areas were still experiencing the rainy season, which is why the water level in turf areas that has the potential to set fire to is balancing. “If it can be done earlier, I think, that’s why this number can always fall. Because we believe in science and are well executed by BNPB and friends in the field,” Raja Juli said. “Without denying the function of the TNI polri in the field, BNPB friends in the field, Manggala Agni friends, the public who cares for fire, is very important, including water bombing on the day of the fire, but it is the expectation that we must do first,” he continued. Meanwhile, BMKG head, Dwikorita Karnati, said that the implementation of this OMC, apart from the expectation of an early dry season in Riau, will also be performed in December. He also said that Indonesia should be prepared for possible hydrometeorological disasters. “We are asking you to be more prepared for this wet hydrometeorological disaster, especially in November, usually in Northern Sumatra or in different areas in the Western Java, Central -java, East Java,” Dwikorita explained. “This is the potential for flash floods that often cause casualties, to hundreds of people who become victims. It therefore takes further preparedness after the forest and land fires have been coordinated at this time,” he added. (AZH/AZH)