BPBD Calls Natuna Covered With Smoke Sent From Kalimantan

Illustration of forest and land fires hitting Kalimantan Island. (doc. Satpolpp.kaltimprov.go.id)

The Indonesian Embassy in the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) said the Natuna Islands are currently shrouded in smoke from Kalimantan. The intensity of forest and land fires (karhutla) in Kalimantan is known to be high.

"The smoke was carried away by the wind from the southeast, so it had a huge impact on Natuna," said the Head of BPBD Natuna in the Riau Islands (Kepri), Raja Darmika, Wednesday, September 6, which was confiscated by Antara.

He said the smog had occurred from September 4-6, 2023, which was marked by a visibility of only three to four kilometers.

His party has taken anticipatory steps in the form of an appeal to residents to remain vigilant and avoid or reduce activities outside the home as much as possible. Especially for people with heart disease, respiratory problems, pregnant women and school children.

"If you are forced to go outside the house, you should wear a mask," he said.

In addition, BPBD also appealed to Natuna residents who had difficulty breathing to irritation of the eyes due to smog to immediately seek treatment at the nearest doctor or health facility.

Likewise, residents are asked to increase their drinking of water, fruit and vegetables, covering the gap in houses with wet cloth so that conditions do not worsen by smoking to protect themselves and their families from the bad effects of smog.

"We cannot predict when this smog will end, but the results of today's monitoring have begun to decrease," he concluded.