Govt prepares weather modification, water measures ahead of El Nino

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Environment is preparing Weather Modification Operations (OMC) and peatlands water management ahead of the El Niño phenomenon, which is predicted to cause extreme drought with very low rainfall in Indonesia.

"This OMC was developed after 2023 and today has become a management protocol to extend rainfall and provide water to hydrate the underlying areas. Furthermore, on the ground, we will implement permanent canal blocking measures," Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq said in Jakarta on Wednesday.

According to him, Indonesia has a long canal network, nearly 600,000 km. Therefore, certain areas with potential water resources will have their canals blocked using various methods and technologies to maintain water security and thus supply areas that are vulnerable to drought or wildfire.

"We are also strengthening it through independent peatland-friendly villages. This is a regional strategy. The main strategy is to monitor the water level in peatlands and then implement weather modification when the peat water level drops further. So, if the peat water level drops below 80 cm, we will contact authorities to immediately implement the OMC," Nurofiq continued.

He explained that the prolonged drought driven by El Niño could affect Indonesia, as it coincides with the April–November 2026 dry season, leading to significantly reduced rainfall across the country.

“This year, the dry season spans from April to November. We will undergo seven months of development alongside an extended dry period beginning in April. At the same time, rising sea surface temperatures in the central Pacific Ocean are triggering El Niño, which is expected to bring the lowest rainfall levels in the past 30 years,” the minister remarked.

He added that on average, monthly rainfall will be less than 100 mm, with the potential for groundwater and peatland to dry out.

"Therefore, there are three key conditions that must be addressed. First, the prolonged drought. Second, the lowest rainfall in 30 years, and then land drought," he concluded.