There Are 10 Hot Spots Monitored In NTT, BMKG Asks Residents To Be Alert, Don't Throw Cigarette Butts Carelessly

Screenshot of hotspots marked with red dots appearing in the NTT region (ANTARA)

KUPANG - Head of the El Tari Kupang Meteorology Station, Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Agung Sudiono Abadi appealed to residents to be aware of the emergence of 10 hotspots scattered in the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) region.

"The emergence of these hot spots needs to be watched out for by the public by not burning garbage or grass in open areas," he said when contacted in Kupang, Antara, Saturday, October 30.

He explained that the 10 hot spots were spread across Kupang Regency, namely Amabi Oefeto, South Amfoang, and East Amarasi Districts, each one point.

Alor Regency, namely Northwest Alor with two points, South Alor with one point, East Alor with one point, Atadei, Lembata Regency with one point, and South Central Timor Regency, namely North Amanatun and South Amanuban, each with one point.

Agung explained that the hot spots were detected based on the results of the Terra, Aqua, Suomi NPP, and NOAA20 satellites monitored by the National Aeronautics and Space Agency (LAPAN).

The satellite will detect hot temperature anomalies in an area of one square kilometer and at a location on the Earth's surface will be observed 2-4 times per day. The satellite image only assesses reflexivity and ambient temperature anomalies which are interpreted as hot spots. "We cannot confirm the cause of the anomaly," he said.

Agung added that in areas covered by clouds, hot spots could not be detected. Drought conditions and strong gusts of wind are also indirect causes of the spread of a hot spot.

"Therefore, people need to be vigilant, including not throwing cigarette butts carelessly which can trigger land or forest fires," he said.