3,692 Karhutla Hotspots Detected, South Sumatra Highest In Sumatra

Illustration of forest fires (ANTARA)

PEKANBARU - The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) recorded 3,692 hotspots in 8 provinces in Sumatra. The most hotspots are in South Sumatra Province (Sumsel) which amounts to 2,734 points.

"In Bengkulu Province 9 points, Jambi 194 points, Lampung 404, West Sumatra 39, Riau Islands 7, Bangka Belitung 219 points, and Riau 86 points," said Forecaster on Duty BMKG SSK II Pekanbaru, Anggun R, Monday 16 October.

Especially in Riau, the 86 hotspots are located in Pelalawan Regency 9 points, Indragiri Hilir 12 and Indragiri Hulu 65 points.

Meanwhile, the air temperature from morning to night in Pekanbaru City and its surroundings is cloudy. The potential for rain with light to moderate intensity occurred in parts of Kampar, Rokan Hulu, Kuantan Singingi, Indragiri Hulu, Indragiri Hilir, Pelalawan, Bengkalis, Rokan Hilir, Siak, Dumai City, and Pekanbaru City.

The visibility ranges from 8 to 9 kilometers in Pekanbaru City and around it with the status of fuzzy and foggy air.

According to the latest data from the BMKG Sunday morning, the air quality in Pekanbaru City tends to be unhealthy. This is stated on a graph that touches the yellow line with a figure of 54.90 grams/m3.

Regarding air quality conditions, Head of Class I Meteorological Station Sultan Syarif Kasim II, Pekanbaru, Ramlan explained that this was still below the threshold.

"Air quality tends to fall frequently in Pekanbaru City and several other areas. The unhealthy air quality is still below the threshold or small from 150 micrograms/m3," explained Ramlan.

However, in order to maintain health, he suggested that residents use masks when doing activities outside the home to avoid any effects caused by pollutants.

According to him, the foggy weather in the morning was caused by fog/immist because of the high humidity. This will disappear along with the strengthening of sunlight.

"Indeed, it is usually a bit foggy. This is due to humidity which is still high because sunlight is not yet optimally shining on the surface. While by noon, sunlight is mostly shining on the surface so that the weather of fog will be lifted into the air so that it rarely sees it starting to clear," said Ramlan.