Wildfires Threaten Indonesia’s New Capital: A Call to Action
In a distressing turn of events, wildfires have begun to encroach upon Indonesia’s new capital, Nusantara, still under construction. As flames flicker perilously close, project authorities have urgently appealed to disaster mitigation teams for cloud-seeding and water-bombing operations to combat the rising threat.
The Fire’s Toll
The fires have wreaked havoc across six provinces, with a staggering 73,311 hectares affected primarily on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. While Borneo had previously seen relative safety in its eastern regions—where Nusantara is being built—this dry season has intensified the situation dramatically since July. Unfortunately, fires are now spreading alarmingly close to the new capital. According to Agus Riyanto, director for emergency response at the disaster mitigation agency, the situation is critical.
The ongoing drought, driven by a “super El Niño” phenomenon, has made this dry season the most challenging in a decade. Within the new capital’s vicinity, Bukit Suharto—a forest park named after Indonesia’s former president—has suffered significantly. There, around 300 hectares have succumbed to flames. With the city center only about 50 kilometers away, the urgency of the matter becomes all too clear. As of September 2, a total of roughly 400 hectares around Nusantara have burned.
A Project in Peril
The ambitious plan to create Nusantara, announced in 2019 by former President Joko Widodo, aimed to alleviate Jakarta’s struggles with congestion, flooding, and land subsidence. However, since President Prabowo Subianto took office in 2024, the project has faced numerous delays and budget cuts, raising concerns about its future.
Urban and planning expert, Wisnubroto Sarosa, has expressed doubts over Nusantara’s suitability as the new capital. Surrounded by forests and grappling with limited water supplies, the site could prove risky, even if fire dangers are currently lower than in other regions of the island shared with Malaysia and Brunei.
Mobilizing Resources
In response to the escalating fires, authorities have mobilized 53 aircraft for water bombing and cloud-seeding operations. Japan has also stepped in, providing additional aircraft and personnel to assist in the efforts. Agus emphasized that while cloud cover is currently insufficient for seeding, they are committed to acting as soon as conditions allow.
A helicopter is slated to arrive from neighboring South Kalimantan, tasked with water-bombing efforts around Nusantara.
Seeking Divine Intervention
In these troubling times, the community is coming together. Hundreds of Muslims gathered outside the state palace in Nusantara for “Istisqo” prayers, seeking rain to end the fires. As preacher Rusdi Abdullah proclaimed, “We must seek God’s forgiveness, and if it’s granted, Allah will send abundant rain.”
Conclusion
The wildfires surrounding Nusantara serve as a poignant reminder of the environmental challenges Indonesia faces. As communities unite and authorities mobilize resources, the hope for rain becomes a beacon of solidarity. In these trying times, the call for action is not just for the sake of a new capital, but for the preservation of the land and lives of those who call it home.
