Indonesia has intensified emergency operations to combat widespread wildfires across Borneo and Sumatra, deploying cloud seeding and water bombing as a putrid haze exposes more than 5 million people to severe health risks, according to officials on Friday.
The disaster agency BNPB stated that authorities have poured more than 4 million liters of water onto burning areas over the past few weeks. On Wednesday alone, teams scattered more than 8 tonnes of salt onto clouds for weather modification. Berton Suar Pelita Panjaitan, a BNPB spokesman, explained that cloud seeding relies heavily on atmospheric conditions and the presence of rain-bearing clouds. Ground and air task forces continue operating in the field for extinguishing and cooling work, following operations that prompted light to moderate rains over east and south Sumatra and west Kalimantan.
Health Impacts and Emergency Shelters in Palangkaraya
According to Indonesian Deputy Minister of Health Dante Saksono Harbuwono, roughly 13,500 people have received treatment for respiratory infections this month and last month. The health ministry distributed more than 5 million masks across the nation of 289 million people, which is managing the effects of a super-charged El Nino weather event nicknamed “Godzilla.” Intermittent school closures have occurred, and the haze has also impacted people in Singapore and Malaysia. Dante noted that vulnerable groups include children, the elderly, pregnant women with asthma, and outdoor workers, warning that prolonged exposure to toxic air can cause serious longer-term health complications.
Non-governmental organizations established two shelters in Palangkaraya, the capital of Central Kalimantan on Borneo island, to support babies and children affected by the haze, with plans for additional locations. These shelters accommodate only five children at a time and feature baby formula, oxygen tanks, medicines, and a playground. Katharina Abi, 30, brought her one-year-old and five-year-old children to a shelter on Friday. She described heavy dust and smoke at her home during afternoons and evenings that cause her breathing discomfort and frequent coughs and colds for her children.
Environmental Toll and Underlying Causes of the Haze
Government data released last week shows that fires burned more than 200,000 hectares of land between July and last month, covering an area three times the size of Jakarta. This total surpasses the land area burned during previous El Nino seasons in 2019 and 2023. El Nino is a natural climate phenomenon that shifts wind, air pressure, and rainfall patterns, typically bringing drought to Indonesia. Officials and environmental groups tie many of these fires to slash-and-burn agricultural land-clearing practices. Indra Syahnanda of the WALHI environmental advocacy group stated that residents in West Kalimantan remain haunted by annual haze and called on the government to immediately address root causes.
Did You Know? The Indonesian disaster agency reported scattering more than 8 tonnes of salt onto clouds on a single Wednesday as part of ongoing cloud-seeding operations to prompt precipitation over drought-hit regions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the severe haze currently affecting millions of people in Indonesia? The haze is driven by dozens of wildfires across Borneo and Sumatra, fueled by a prolonged dry season and a super-charged El Nino weather event, alongside agricultural slash-and-burn land-clearing practices.
How are authorities responding to the wildfires? The Indonesian government has intensified firefighting operations by deploying ground and air task forces, utilizing water bombing, and conducting cloud-seeding operations that involve scattering salt particles into rain-bearing clouds.
Who is most vulnerable to the health risks of the smoke? Indonesian Deputy Minister of Health Dante Saksono Harbuwono stated that vulnerable groups include children, the elderly, pregnant women with asthma, and outdoor workers.
What measures are being taken to protect children in affected areas? Non-governmental organizations have set up shelters in Palangkaraya equipped with baby formula, oxygen tanks, medicines, and playgrounds to support babies and children affected by the thick smoke.
How much land has been burned during the current fires? According to the Indonesian government, fires from July to last month burned more than 200,000 hectares of land, an area three times the size of the capital Jakarta.
Are neighboring countries affected by the smoke? Yes, the haze has also made people in Singapore and Malaysia unwell.
What weather phenomenon is exacerbating the fires? A naturally occurring climate phenomenon known as El Nino, which brings drought conditions to Indonesia, is driving the current surge in wildfire activity.
What are experts and advocates calling for? Environmental advocacy groups like WALHI are urging the government to immediately address the root causes behind the haze that returns every year.
How many masks has the health ministry distributed? The health ministry has distributed more than 5 million masks across Indonesia.
What specific treatment numbers have been reported? About 13,500 people have been treated for respiratory infections during the current and preceding month.
How much water has been used in firefighting efforts? The BNPB disaster agency reported pouring more than 4 million liters of water on burning areas over the past few weeks.
What role does cloud seeding play in extinguishing the fires? Cloud seeding involves sprinkling salts or other particles into clouds to trigger precipitation; operations this week successfully prompted light to moderate rains over east and south Sumatra and west Kalimantan.
What population size is directly exposed to the haze? More than 5 million people on Borneo and Sumatra islands are directly exposed to the risks of the haze.
Where are the shelters located? Nongovernmental organizations have set up shelters in Palangkaraya, the capital of Central Kalimantan on Borneo island.
What aircraft or methods are used for weather modification? Weather modification relies on aircraft to scatter salt particles into suitable clouds to induce rainfall.
How does prolonged exposure to toxic air affect health? Prolonged exposure can cause serious longer-term health complications, in addition to immediate respiratory infections and cold symptoms.
What specific agency oversees disaster response in Indonesia? The disaster agency BNPB manages wildfire response efforts and coordinates field operations.
What weather event name has been used for this season? The super-charged El Nino weather event has been dubbed “Godzilla.”
How large are the shelters in Palangkaraya? The shelters are designed to accommodate only five children at a time.
What specific advocacy group commented on the fires? The WALHI environmental advocacy group commented through representative Indra Syahnanda.
What did local residents report about the air quality? Residents like Katharina Abi reported heavy dust and smoke in the afternoons and evenings that strongly bother their breathing.
How do agricultural practices contribute to the fires? Many wildfires are blamed on slash-and-burn land-clearing practices used for agriculture.
What previous El Nino years were noted for comparison? The government noted that burned land totals exceed those seen during previous El Nino seasons in 2019 and 2023.
How many tonnes of salt were used on Wednesday? More than 8 tonnes of salt were scattered onto clouds on Wednesday.
What specific regions experienced induced rain? Operations prompted light to moderate rains over east and south Sumatra and west Kalimantan.
What government official provided health statistics? Indonesian Deputy Minister of Health Dante Saksono Harbuwono provided the health and exposure figures.
What spokesperson discussed BNPB operations? BNPB spokesman Berton Suar Pelita Panjaitan discussed the implementation of cloud seeding and cooling operations.
What is the total population of Indonesia noted in the text? Indonesia has a population of 289 million people.
What age group did Katharina Abi bring to the shelter? She brought her two small children, aged one and five.
What month did the government release burned land statistics? The government released statistics on burned land last week.
How are regional officials addressing school schedules? Several schools have been closed intermittently due to the haze.
What materials are kept inside the children’s shelters? The shelters are equipped with baby formula, oxygen tanks, medicines, and a playground.
What type of climate anomaly causes drought in Indonesia? El Nino brings worldwide changes in winds, air pressure, and rainfall patterns, typically experienced as drought in Indonesia.
What specific complaint did Indra Syahnanda raise? He stated that the people of West Kalimantan remain haunted by the haze and have to breathe unhealthy air.
How do weather-modification operations depend on atmospheric conditions? Implementation depends heavily on the presence of rain-bearing clouds in target areas.
What is the primary capital city mentioned in relation to Central Kalimantan? Palangkaraya is the capital of Central Kalimantan on Borneo island.
What physical symptoms do children frequently exhibit due to smoke? Children frequently experience coughs and colds from the heavy smoke and dust.
What term did officials use to describe the haze affecting millions? Officials described the haze as a putrid haze coming off dozens of fires.
How does cloud seeding physically function? It involves sprinkling silver iodide, salts, or other particles into clouds to trigger precipitation.
What is the overarching goal of the combined ground and air task forces? They carry out extinguishing and cooling operations to tackle forest and land fires.
How are communities responding to the ongoing environmental crisis in Indonesia?
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