Indonesia drops 2.4 tonnes of dry ice over South Sumatra to tackle haze
 

Indonesia deployed 2.4 tonnes of dry ice over South Sumatra, on the island of Sumatra, to help disperse thick haze caused by forest and land fires. The two-day operation took place from October 15 to 16 and initially focused on the area around Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International Airport in Palembang, where the haze had disrupted flights. The operation involved three flights, with a total flying time of seven hours and three minutes.

According to Berton Panjaitan of Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency, visibility at the airport improved from 1,000 meters to as much as 3,000 meters during the operation. However, further research is needed to determine whether the improvement was caused by the dry ice or other weather conditions. Indonesia’s weather agency also reported that smoke from forest and land fires briefly reached the atmosphere over Greater Jakarta on Friday but began moving away on Saturday, with no evidence of an effect on ground-level air quality.

Dry ice is being tested as an alternative method to reduce haze by weakening atmospheric conditions that trap smoke near the ground. This may allow the smoke to rise and improve visibility. The method is still being tested, and researchers need more evidence to confirm its effectiveness. The operation shows Indonesia’s efforts to find ways to reduce the effects of forest and land fires, especially in areas where thick haze affects transportation and visibility.

Edited using generative AI tools. 
Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/indonesia-drops-24-tonnes-dry-ice-over-south-sumatra-tackle-haze-6469171

Comprehension

How many tonnes of dry ice did Indonesia deploy?
Where did the two-day operation take place?
On what dates was the dry ice operation conducted?
How did visibility at the airport change during the operation?
Why is further research needed after the operation?

Discussion

Have you ever experienced thick haze or air pollution? How did you feel?
What do you think causes air pollution in your country?
How can forest fires affect people's daily lives?
Have you ever experienced a flight delay? What happened?
What can people do to help prevent forest fires?
Do you think the government should spend money on new ways to reduce air pollution? Why?
How can air pollution affect our health and the environment?
What can you do to help keep the air clean in your community?

Vocabulary

Deploy – to send or use something for a particular purpose.
Disperse – to spread out or move apart.
Haze – air that looks unclear because of smoke, dust, or pollution.
Visibility – the distance you can see clearly.
Disrupt – to interrupt or cause problems with something.
Operation – an organized activity done to achieve a goal.
Atmosphere – the layer of gases surrounding the Earth.
Alternative – another choice or method that can be used instead of something else.