Indonesia Fights Wildfires with Cloud Seeding
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Clouds and Consequences: Indonesia’s Wildfire Wars
Indonesia’s struggle to control its wildfires is ongoing, but this year’s El Niño-fueled infernos have introduced a new tactic: cloud seeding. The government’s efforts to trigger rain through weather modification are commendable, yet they raise more questions than answers.
The scale of the disaster is staggering. Over 285,000 hectares have burned since January 2026, an area roughly four times the size of Jakarta. Cloud seeding involves sprinkling particles into clouds to stimulate precipitation and reduce wildfires and regional haze. However, its effectiveness is far from clear-cut.
Meteorologist Safillah Anggie Wahyuni is enthusiastic about cloud seeding due to her experience with the technique. Yet even she acknowledges that weather modification will only be effective if conditions are right, which raises concerns about the dry season when wildfires peak and clouds are scarce. Indonesia’s firefighting efforts remain largely on the ground, with nearly 50,000 firefighters deployed.
The use of cloud seeding also brings environmental worries to the fore. Research suggests it is difficult to assess its efficacy, while potential harms linked to widespread use of silver iodide are still unknown. These concerns are compounded by the high cost and limited scope of cloud seeding operations.
Indonesia’s reliance on cloud seeding may be a distraction from more pressing issues. The country’s peatlands and rainforests are under threat from mass conversion, development, and land-clearing practices. Activists argue that these underlying problems must be addressed to prevent future disasters. Uli Arta Siagian, campaign coordinator with local environmental group WALHI, stresses the need for the state to protect vulnerable ecosystems against development.
The regional haze crisis is not new to Indonesia, but this year’s El Niño has amplified its severity. The environment minister’s call to beef up preventive patrols and impose stricter penalties on illegal burning is a step in the right direction. However, more needs to be done to tackle the root causes of these devastating fires.
Indonesia’s experiences with cloud seeding serve as a warning to other countries facing similar challenges. Climate change is exacerbating extreme weather events, making temporary solutions like weather modification inadequate replacements for sustainable practices and policy reforms.
The consequences of Indonesia’s inaction will be felt far beyond its borders. Malaysia and Singapore are already grappling with the effects of regional haze. The impact on public health, economies, and ecosystems is clear: drastic measures must be taken to prevent future disasters.
As the 2026 wildfire season rages on, Indonesia must look beyond cloud seeding and address the systemic issues driving these infernos. It’s time for a more comprehensive approach that balances short-term relief with long-term solutions. The country cannot afford to wait until the next El Niño arrives to tackle its underlying problems.
Reader Views
- PRPat R. · frugal living writer
While cloud seeding is being touted as a silver bullet for Indonesia's wildfires, let's not forget that this technique is essentially a Band-Aid solution to a far more complex problem. The root cause of these devastating fires lies in the unsustainable land use practices that have ravaged Indonesia's peatlands and rainforests. Until policymakers address the drivers of deforestation and degradation, cloud seeding will only offer temporary relief. We need to shift focus from piecemeal solutions like weather modification to long-term conservation efforts and sustainable development strategies that prioritize environmental stewardship.
- SBSam B. · deal hunter
The government's reliance on cloud seeding is a Band-Aid solution to Indonesia's wildfire woes. While it's understandable to try new tactics, we're overlooking the root cause of these disasters: unsustainable land use practices. Peatlands and rainforests are being cleared at an alarming rate, creating a perfect storm for wildfires. Until we address these underlying issues, cloud seeding will only be a temporary fix. The focus should be on protecting Indonesia's natural buffers, not just sprinkling silver iodide into clouds.
- TCThe Cart Desk · editorial
"While Indonesia's cloud seeding efforts may be well-intentioned, they risk becoming a Band-Aid solution for a deeper problem: our country's reckless land-use practices are still driving the wildfires that cloud seeding aims to mitigate. Instead of throwing more money at weather modification, we should be taking a harder look at the laws and regulations governing land conversion – and enforcing them with greater vigor. That way, we can address the root causes of these disasters rather than just treating their symptoms."