BNPB Conducts Weather Modification Operation on Hotspots in Lampung

RRI.CO.ID, Bandar Lampung — The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) is conducting a Weather Modification Operation (OMC) in Lampung Province to suppress an increase in hotspots and mitigate the risk of forest and land fires, as stated in a written press release on Friday, 28 August 2026. This strategic step includes protecting the Sumatran elephant conservation area in Way Kambas National Park.

Based at Raden Inten II Airport, this aerial operation runs from 26 to 30 August 2026, under the supervision of BMKG. Salt seeding is concentrated in East Lampung to stimulate the growth of rain clouds over fire-prone areas.

These forest fire management efforts also received special attention from President Prabowo Subianto to ensure the preservation of endangered species. The central government instructed extra protection so that one of the last remaining elephant habitats in Sumatra is not affected by haze disasters.

“I also ask for special attention to Lampung, where Way Kambas National Park is located, to be our focus. I received reports that there are hotspots and fires there. That is our conservation park for elephants and other wildlife. We must take care of the last elephants in Sumatra,” President Prabowo Subianto previously stated on Monday, 24 August 2026.

This emergency measure was taken following an increase in the number of hotspots based on NOAA20 satellite monitoring over the past few days. The condition was exacerbated by the peak of the dry season, which placed the entire region of Lampung under a drought disaster emergency alert status.

Data from the Forest and Land Fire Task Force noted that the total burned area in Lampung reached approximately 674.5 hectares. Local governments, alongside communities and business actors, are now urged to strengthen collaboration to prevent the spread of hotspots early on.

To optimize disaster management, the Governor of Lampung has established an emergency alert status for hydrometeorological disasters valid until 23 September 2026. Synergy between the central and regional governments is expected to maintain ecosystem stability and effectively eliminate the threat of forest fires.