Banjarmasin Emergency Alert Smoke Fog

BANJARMASIN - The City Government of Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan has declared an emergency status for smog fog due to forest and land fires (karhutla) until October 30, 2023.

"The Banjarmasin City Government takes seriously the current phenomenon of smog disaster, until it decides that status," said Assistant 1 for Government and Welfare of the Banjarmasin City Government Machli Riyadi, quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, October 4.

According to him, the Banjarmasin City Government has held a coordination meeting on dealing with forest and land fires and elements of Forkopimda to decide on an emergency alert status until October 30, 2023.

Actually, he said, since August 1, 2023 through the Decree of the Mayor of Banjarmasin, it has been determined about the status of preparedness for the disaster of forest fires and/or land and drought in Banjarmasin City.

However, due to the current condition of the smoke fog getting worse, the City Government immediately took strategic steps in dealing with it.

"Because the level of confinement is serious and the air quality of Banjarmasin is very unhealthy," said Machli Riyadi.

This year's extreme dryness has made the Banjarmasin City Government close ranks in dealing with the smog disaster.

From data from the Banjarmasin City Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), there are only 31 hotspots in the Banjarmasin City area.

"Moreover, there are several areas bordering neighboring districts such as Batola and Banjar, which are very vulnerable to forest and land fires," he said.

He also said that the Banjarmasin City Government was very grateful with the help of all parties, including volunteer self-help firefighters in this city, hand in hand to tackle forest and land fires to this day.

Meanwhile, the Head of BPBD Banjarmasin City, Husni Thamrin, said that currently there are sub-districts that are most affected by smog, namely North Banjarmasin, South Banjarmasin, and East Banjarmasin Districts.

"This area is indeed the one bordering the neighboring area with the most affected source of fire. Now we are taking the first step by giving an appeal to the public not to leave the house if it is not necessary," he said.

At the emergency status of this smog, the City Government of Banjarmasin has also established distance learning (PJJ) for students from the PAUD to SMP levels from 4-7 October 2023.