Karhutla Capai 424 Ha Area In Natuna Regency

Forest FIRE (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Natuna Regency, Riau Islands noted that until March 25, 2024, the area of forest and land fires (karhutla) in the area reached 424.35. According to the Head of Emergency and Logistics Division of the Natuna Regency BPBD Zulheppy in Natuna, this number is more than 132 hectares. "The area of 132 hectares will start from January to December 2023," he quoted Antara. According to him, the largest forest and land fires occurred in Bunguran Batubi District with a burned area of 240 hectares, although there were no casualties in the incident.

"In 2023, there were around 53 incidents, while until March 2024 there were around 27 incidents," he said.National Meteorological Station forecasters Ranai Resa Fahlevi said that currently the Natuna region is starting to enter a transitional season, where the dominant weather changes. "In April and May, it is predicted that the intensity of monthly rainfall in most areas of Natuna is in the intermediate category," he said. in the next few days the weather conditions in Natuna are generally cloudy. "However, there is the potential for local rain with light to heavy intensity and can be accompanied by lightning and strong winds in some areas that are dominant in occurring during the afternoon to evening," he said. According to him, easy-to-change weather conditions during the transition season still allow for forest and air conditions to dry and temperature to increase.

"Based on hotspot data for the last few years, the dominant hotspot has been observed in the areas of West Bungaran, Bunguran Batubi, Central Bunguran, Bunguran Selatan and Bunguran Timur Laut," he said. "Always be aware of the potential for extreme weather and hydrometeorological disasters that can occur. In addition, we also urge the public not to do activities that can trigger forest and land fires when the air is dry and the air temperature is hot," he said.