Karhutla On The Side Of The Palendra Toll Road, South Sumatra: The Smoke Is Not Disturbing The Aviation

Residents observed forest and land fires at the toll gate of the Rambutan Toll Road Trans Sumatra (JTTS) Palembang-Indralaya section in Sungai Rambutan Village, Ogan Ilir (OI), South Sumatra, Thursday (14/9/2023). (ANTARA-Nova W)

SOUTH SUMATRA - A forest and land fire (karhutla) hit an area near the Pelindra Toll Road or the Palembang-Indralaya route in Ogan Komering Ilir Regency, South Sumatra (Sumsel).

A total of two "water bombing" helicopters were dispatched to the location. Meanwhile, the South Sumatra Karhutla Task Force Team consisted of firefighters, BPBD, Manggala Agni, TNI/Polri and other potential communities struggling to extinguish them from the mainland.

Some of the fire on the left and right of the Palandra Toll Road has been successfully extinguished. However, the flames continued to engulf the bushes in the area due to the hot temperature and strong winds in the area. One of them is near the Rambutan River which is included in the OKI Regency area.

To speed up the blackout, the Karhatla Task Force Team in Ogan Ilir received the help of two teams from Manggala Agni, Lahat Regency. The team, which numbered 20 people, immediately joined the task force team at the forest and land fires location.

Meanwhile, officers from the Traffic Unit of the Ogan Ilir Police and the Polsek Pamulutan Ogan Ilir were deployed to secure and regulate traffic flow on toll roads and on the Palembang-Indralaya highway which was affected by smoke.

The flames were great on the evening of Thursday, September 15, so that the atmosphere on the left and right of the Pelindra Toll Road was surrounded by fire. However, it does not interfere or the operation of the toll road that can still be passed.

The fire at the location also caused quite thick puffs of smoke carried by the wind towards Palembang City.

The South Sumatra Karhutla Task Force also continues to disseminate information to the public to use masks and always convey education to prevent forest and land fires.

A number of billboards and banners were installed that educated the public not to burn land. In addition, he appealed not to throw cigarette butts carelessly into the grass on the shoulder of the road because it could ignite the flames.

Safe flight

Meanwhile, the forest and land fires that have occurred in the Ogan Komering Ilir and Ogan Ilir areas so far have not affected flight schedule activities to and from Sultan Mahmud Baddarudin II Airport in Palembang.

"Flights at SMB II airports are still normal and uninterrupted. They continue to coordinate with airlines, and all take-off and landing activities are still normal," said Ekekutif General Manager of PT Angkasa Pura II SMB II Iwan Winaya Airport.

He said visibility and visibility for landings and flying were still normal. In fact, in the last two weeks there have been no complaints from the pilot regarding the impact of smoke.

"So far there have been no reports from the pilot who disrupted his landing," said Iwan.

He said the gusts of wind were enough to help normalize visibility, during the day and at night. Even at night it is also safer to help with the GPS system and landing lights that guide pilots to land or take off.

Dust dirty the house

Meanwhile, forest and land fires littered people's houses in Palembang and its surroundings. Dust accompanied by several used leaf material that caught fire and carried by the wind littered the roof and also the floor of the residents' houses.

"Every morning there is dust, black and black on the terrace of the house. There are also many during the day, so you have to sweep the floor several times," said Mrs. Lina in Bukit Lama Village, Ilir Barat District, Palembang City.

Another resident of Palembang also revealed the same thing. They claim to be familiar with the dust used by forest and land fires.

"In addition to dust, the smell of forest and land fires is also pungent, especially at night and in the morning," said Sansan, another resident of West Ilir.

However, it does not interfere with their daily activities. Some are already wearing masks, but many are still not wearing masks.

Air quality is also a concern of the Palembang City Environment Agency. The latest data shows that the city's Air Pollution Standard Index (ISPU) continues to rise due to forest and land fires and it has not rained for a long time.

ISPU in Palembang City currently ranges from 120-130, while the level that endangers health is above 200.