BPPT Sows Six Tons Of Salt Powder To Induce Rains

Pekanbaru, Riau, (Antarariau.com) - The Agency for Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) has dispersed six tons of salt powder to induce rains through weather modification method over Riau Province.

"The weather modification or cloud seeding efforts have been carried out since the past six days by BPPT," Agus Wibowo, the head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency s data unit, stated here on Tuesday.

The cloud seeding operation has been carried out in Siak, Pelalawan, Kuantan Singingi, Rokan Hilir, Kampar, Rohan Hulu and Dumai city.

"Cloud seeding will continue to be carried out until there is enough heavy rains to put out the existing fires," he added.

The Riau Haze Disaster Response Task Force has provided 25 tons of salt powder for cloud seeding over the province.

At least nine aircraft, including Sikorsky and Kamov helicopters, have been made available to help put out the fires razing forest, plantation and peatland areas in Riau.

The Russian-made Kamov helicopter arrived at the Roesmin Nujadin air force base on Sunday, March 9.

The helicopter will join in the water bombing activities and, according to authorities, will be able to operate for five hours while carrying 5 thousand liters of water.

Commander of the Riau Haze Emergency Response Task Force, Brigadier General Prihadi Agus Irianto, stated that in addition to aerial operations, firefighters on the ground continue to extinguish the fires.