JAKARTA: Indonesia has begun testing the use of dry ice to disperse thick haze caused by forest fires in South Sumatra, deploying 1,600kg in an experimental weather modification operation yesterday.
National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Disaster Data, Information and Communication Centre acting head Berton Panjaitan said the operation involved two flights, each carrying 800kg of dry ice, targeting areas around 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.
South Sumatra is among Indonesia's six priority provinces for forest and land fire suppression, alongside Riau, Jambi, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan and South Kalimantan.
