JAKARTA, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia is preparing weather modification operations to mitigate the risks of drought and forest and land fires as El Nino coincides with the dry season, authorities said Tuesday.
The operations are aimed at extinguishing fire hotspots and maintaining water levels in reservoirs, dams and lakes to ensure adequate water supplies during the dry season, Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono said after a cabinet meeting chaired by President Prabowo Subianto at the State Palace.
Yudhoyono warned of a possible strengthening of El Nino, citing trends presented by the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency.
Six provinces have been designated as priority areas for the operations: Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan and South Kalimantan. ■
