Indonesia dusts off vintage dry-ice cloud seeding to combat regional haze

Indonesia is turning to cloud-seeding methods developed in the 1940s to tackle persistent haze that blankets parts of Southeast Asia, marking a fresh approach to an ongoing environmental challenge. The technique involves dispersing dry ice into clouds to encourage precipitation, a technology that predates modern seeding methods but remains viable for large-scale atmospheric intervention.

The initiative reflects Indonesia's determination to address transboundary haze, which regularly affects neighbouring countries including Singapore. By targeting upwind areas, authorities aim to trigger rainfall before weather systems reach sensitive zones, particularly around airports where visibility remains critical for operations.

The dry-ice programme complements existing efforts to combat haze sources, including enforcement against illegal burning in peatlands and forest areas. Weather officials will focus deployment on regions where atmospheric conditions are most conducive to the process, maximising the potential for cloud development and precipitation.

While cloud seeding remains scientifically debated regarding its efficacy, Indonesian meteorological agencies have previously employed the method during dry seasons. Officials expect the renewed focus on proven techniques to contribute meaningfully to haze mitigation, particularly during peak burning seasons when air quality deteriorates significantly across the region.