As wildfires continue to ravage large areas of Indonesia, authorities in South Sumatra have turned to spiritual measures. On Tuesday, about 3,000 residents gathered in Palembang, the provincial capital, to perform salat istisqa, a special Islamic prayer for rain, as thick smoke shrouded the city and reduced visibility to the point where motorists drove with headlights on during the day.
The prayer, held in the courtyard of the governor's office, reflects the severity of the crisis gripping the region. South Sumatra has recorded the highest number of wildfire hotspots nationwide, with 1,429, followed by West Kalimantan with 1,226 and Central Kalimantan with 811, according to the latest satellite data from the Environment Ministry.
Governor Herman Deru addressed the crowd before the prayer, acknowledging the limitations of conventional efforts. "We have done everything we can and worked closely with all relevant parties," he said. "As people of faith, we are also praying to God to send rain so that life can return to normal." He emphasised that the public prayer would complement ongoing firefighting and drought-mitigation measures, and serve as a moment for residents to unite in confronting the environmental challenges facing the province.
The fires, driven by an intensifying El Niño climate pattern and a prolonged dry season, have scorched vast tracts of forest and peatland. According to the Forestry Ministry, nearly 940 square kilometres were burned in July alone, including over 20 square kilometres in South Sumatra. The resulting haze has not only blanketed Indonesian cities but has also crossed into neighbouring Malaysia and Brunei, prompting diplomatic complaints in the past.
Emergency response and weather modification
Emergency services are battling the blazes on multiple fronts. The National Disaster Management Agency has intensified weather-modification operations, deploying 30 aircraft for cloud-seeding and water-bombing over Kalimantan, and 22 helicopters covering Sumatra. Cloud-seeding involves dispersing salt particles into suitable clouds to induce rainfall, a technique that has been used in Indonesia for decades to combat haze and drought.
In addition to the aerial assault, police have arrested 72 people suspected of starting some of the forest and peatland fires. Four companies are under investigation for allegedly using fire to clear land at low cost. Plantation owners and traditional farmers often resort to fire as a cheap method of land clearing, a practice that has repeatedly triggered hazardous haze, disrupted land and air transportation, and threatened public health.
The situation in Indonesia echoes the challenges faced by other regions grappling with wildfire crises. In Europe, Portugal has deployed over 2,000 personnel to combat fires as heat persists, and Spain and France have battled blazes that consumed thousands of hectares. The global nature of the wildfire threat underscores the need for coordinated international responses to climate-induced disasters.
For Indonesia, the immediate priority is to bring the fires under control and alleviate the suffering of affected communities. The prayer in Palembang, while symbolic, highlights the desperation of a population that has endured recurring smoke crises. As the dry season continues, the hope is that the combination of human effort and divine intervention will bring the rains that are so desperately needed.
