Smoke Fog Impact Of Forest And Land Fires In Banjarmasin Is Getting Thicker, View Distance Is Only 300 Meters

The atmosphere of the smoke fog envelops the city of Banjarmasin as seen on Jalan A Yani km4.5 - km6, Monday (2/10/23) until 06.30 WITA. (ANTARA / Syamsuddin Hasan)

BANJARMASIN - Smog fog as a result of forest and land fires (Karhutla) getting thicker and thicker over Banjarmasin City, South Kalimantan Province. According to ANTARA's observation, the smog is now getting thicker and covers the city of a thousand rivers when compared to the previous day. For example, the maximum visibility is only about 300 meters to 06.30 WITA on Jalan A Yani, which is the main road in and out of Banjarmasin City. Likewise, the pungent smell that arises from the smog. On October 1, on Jalan A Yani at the same time (up to 06.30 WITA) the visibility ranges from 500 meters - 1 kilometer. The mayor of Banjarmasin, Ibnu Sina, previously asked people who want to travel to wear masks to reduce the impact of unhealthy air. The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) predicts that eight areas in South Kalimantan will be shocked by forest and land fires (karhutla) on Monday. Smog fog occurred in the areas of Banjarmasin, Banjarbaru, Barabai, Kandanan, Marabahan, Martapura, Pelaihari and Rantau. Meanwhile, for weather forecasts in 13 urban districts in South Kalimantan, it is predicted that it will be cloudy to sunny from day to night.

BMKG also appealed to the public to be aware of forest and land fires throughout the South Kalimantan region which can cause smog.