Press The Potential Of Forest And Land Fire Smoke In Palembang, South Sumatra BPDB Spreads Masks

Illustration. Murals depict residents obeying the prokes wearing masks on the walls of the Wonokromo Street area, Surabaya, in March 2020. (Between-Moch A)

SOUTH SUMATRA - The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of South Sumatra Province (Sumsel) distributed thousands of masks to people in Palembang City.

Head of South Sumatra BPBD M Iqbal Ali Syahbana said the effort was to suppress the potential from the impact of forest and land fire fog (karhutla) in Palembang.

"We distribute masks at several points in Palembang City. The distribution of these masks is at the attention of the Acting Governor of South Sumatra to anticipate the impact of the smoke fog that has hit," he said during an interview in Palembang, South Sumatra, Wednesday, October 18, which was confiscated by Antara.

He explained that the number of masks distributed by the South Sumatra BPBD reached thousands and the distribution had been carried out in districts/cities which had an impact on the smog.

"We are also coordinating with related agencies and medical teams from the TNI and Polri to provide treatment to people affected by the smog," he said.

In tackling forest and land fires, the South Sumatra BPBD extended the Weather Modification Technique (TMC) from 18 to 22 October 2023. The TMC extension is considering the BMKG estimate where the potential for the rainy cloud is still quite large.

"Therefore, TMC will continue to be intensified and maximized in the South Sumatra area. We hope that the potential for this rainy cloud can actually rain and burned and dry areas can be swept away by the rain," he said.

He said the handling of forest and land fires carried out in South Sumatra continues to be carried out optimally. Forest and land fire personnel continue to be added and target areas whose land is burned, such as in Ogan Komering Ilir, Musi Banyuasin, Banyuasin, and Ogan Ilir.

"From the statistical data on forest and land fires events in 2015 and 2019 and compared to 2023, it has decreased. This means that the handling of forest and land fires in 2023 is quite successful compared to previous years," said Iqbal.