Bintan Island Affected By Smuggling Smoke

The condition of the highway in Tanjungpinang City, Riau Islands, was affected by a smog fog sent from Sumatra Island, Tuesday (10/10/2023). (ANTARA/Ogen)

TANJUNGPINANG - The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) of Tanjungpinang, Riau Islands said that Bintan Island, which includes Tanjungpinang City and Bintan Regency, was affected by smog fog sent from Sumatra Island, such as Riau and Palembang.

"The smoke has hit Bintan Island for the last five days due to being carried away by the wind," said BMKG forecaster Tanjungpinang, Maliranda Putri Permatasari, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, October 10.

According to him, the smoke on Bintan Island is still relatively safe because visibility is relatively normal or above the normal limit of 1,000 meters.

This condition, he said, has not hampered shipping and flight activities in the local area.

Even so, BMKG still advises local residents to wear masks when doing activities outside the home to anticipate health problems due to smog.

"Vice smoke contains gas and chemical particles that can disrupt the respiratory system, so residents should wear masks when leaving the house," he said.

In addition, BMKG asked residents to be aware of forest and land fires in the midst of hot weather conditions on Bintan Island in the last few days.

Moreover, he said, BMKG had detected several hotspots, especially in the North Bintan area, Bintan Regency which was surrounded by high seas.

"Currently the weather conditions are hot, the rain growth is lacking. Residents must be aware of forest and land fires, one of which is not throwing cigarette butts carelessly," he said.

Other areas in Riau Islands, such as Batam City, have also been affected by the smog fog sent from Sumatra Island, since the past week.