JAKARTA, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia has dispersed 11 tons of salt in the airspace of Aceh province, located on the northern tip of Sumatra island, to induce artificial rain and prevent forest and land fires before the dry season reaches its peak, officials said Thursday.
The weather modification operation, conducted from June 3 to 10, targeted wildfire-prone areas. It represents "a concrete and proactive step" by the central and local governments to anticipate the potential threats of drought and forest fires in the region, a local disaster management official told reporters.
Authorities hope the initiative will maintain crucial soil moisture levels in the extensive peat hydrological areas and suppress the emergence of hotspots, especially as the country braces for a moderate-to-strong El Nino phenomenon this year.
Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency warned on Wednesday that nearly half of the country's territory is forecast to experience a longer-than-normal dry season, underscoring the urgent need for greater preparedness against drought, wildfires, and water shortages. ■