BNPB-BMKG seed salt to battle fires in 3 Aceh districts
The Cessna Grand Caravan EX 208/PK-JVH targeted rain clouds over Aceh Barat, Nagan Raya and Aceh Utara.
BNPB and BMKG are carrying out weather modification operations to help put out forest and land fires in Aceh. The operation targets Aceh Barat, Nagan Raya and Aceh Utara, with flights departing from Sultan Iskandar Muda International Airport in Aceh Besar on Friday, 5 June 2026. The team dispersed sodium chloride, or salt, into clouds with rain potential to trigger precipitation in the target areas. According to BNPB OMC technical team member Dadang Ramdani, the step is aimed at increasing rainfall in areas affected by karhutla. Seeding was carried out using a Cessna Grand Caravan EX 208/PK-JVH at an altitude of 5,000 to 10,000 feet, in the radial sector 130 to 160 degrees and bearing 130 degrees as far as 90 nautical miles.