HOTSPOTS AND HAZE RETURN AS DRY SPELL HITS SUMATRA ISLAND by Fardah

Jakarta, July 2, 2015 (Antara)- Hundreds of hotspots indicating the presence of wildfires have been reported in some provinces on Sumatra Island, which is currently experiencing a dry spell, with temperatures soaring up to 35 degrees Celsius.

         Based on the NOAA-18 Satellite monitoring data, a total of 1,470 hotspots were detected across Sumatra Island during the period between January 1 and June 16, 2015. Of the total hotspots, 621 were found in Riau Province.

         The Indonesian government is gearing up to face the effects of the predicted weak to moderate El Niño, which could reduce precipitation by 40 to 80 percent.

         This natural phenomenon will affect the provinces of Sumatra, East Java, Bali, West and East Nusa Tenggara, and Papua in particular, from June to November this year.

         Sumatra Island, particularly Riau province, was affected by wildfires in forest, peatland or plantation areas every year over the last 17 years.

         On June 28, 2015, the Terra and Aqua satellites detected 207 hotspots  across Sumatra Island.

         Of the 207 hotspots, 70 were detected in Riau Province, the Pekanbaru meteorological, climatology, and geophysics station head, Sugarin, stated.

         In Riau, 24 hotspots were found in Pelalawan district, 18 in Rokan Hilir, nine in Bengkalis, six in Indragiri Hilir, five in Dumai, three in Siak and Indragiri Hulu. And one hotspot each was found in Kuantansingigi, Meranti and Kampar.

         He said that the accuracy of satellite was above 70 percent.

         The Agency for Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) had attempted to extinguish forest and plantation fires in Riau through the mechanism of artificial rain. But, the effort was failed due to hot and dry weather, he said.

         The application of weather-modification technology cost Rp25 billion which is funded by the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).

         Previously, on June 26, 2015, the Terra and Aqua satellites detected 182 hotspots on Sumatra Island, including 86 in Riau Province, which has always been the worst-hit province in Sumatra.

         Since June 30, haze from wildfires have enveloped the Riau provincial capital of Pekanbaru, affecting routine activities of local inhabitants.

         The Air Pollution Standard Index (ISPU) indicated that the air quality in six regions in Riau province, including Pekanbaru, has deteriorated, Head of the Ecoregion Development Control Center Amral Fery said in city on July 1, 2015.

        In Rumbai area in Pekanbaru, the ISPU reached 104, which indicates unhealthy air quality.

        "If this condition continues for the next two to three days, authorities must take measures. For instance, they should evacuate inhabitants prone to diseases caused by haze," Fery pointed out.

        The Terra and Aqua satellites detected 173 hotspots of forest and plantation fires across Sumatra Island on July 1, 2015.

        Of the 173 hotspots, 60 were found in Riau province, including 11 in Pelalawan district.    
   Imelda Yusra, a 24-year-old university student, stated that she suffered from eye irritation and respiratory problems due to haze if she stayed outdoors for too long.

        In addition, in some roads, visibility has been reduced to around 500 meters.

        Riau Province has provided five thousand face masks to the local inhabitants, as smoke arising from the wildfires has spread across the region.

         Face masks were distributed to protect the public from haze that could affect their health, Head of the Riau health office Andra Sjafril stated in Pekanbaru, on July 1, 2015.

        "We have sufficient stocks of face masks. If anyone needs face masks, please send a request, as it is important for the public to protect themselves as early as possible from being affected by respiratory problems and pneumonia," he emphasized.

        The Riau Crisis and Disaster Mitigation Post Command at the Roesmin Noerjadin air force base in Pekanbaru has been coordinating with the Air Force, the Army, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), the Meteorological, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), and other concerned institutions to tackle the forest and plantation fires.

        In South Sumatra Province on July 2, 2015, the Terra and Aqua satellites detected 22 hotspots of wildfires in seven districts and towns, an increase from 17 on the previous day.

        "Over the last few days, hotspots have been detected in Empat Lawang, Musirawas, North Musirawas, Ogan Komering Ilir, Musi Banyuasin, Ogan KOmering Ulu (OKU), and East OKU," Indra Purnama of the South Sumatra meteorology, climatology, and geophysics office, said the South Sumatra provincial capital of Palembang.

        The number of hotspots might increase and spread to other regions as the province is currently experiencing a dry spell, with temperatures soaring to 32-35 degrees Celsius, and precipitation as low as 101-202 millimeters.

        Head of the South Sumatra disaster mitigation office Yulizar Dinoto said his office has warned farmers and plantation companies' managers that they must not use fire to clear their lands during the current dry season.

        The office has made a number of personnel standby to extinguish potential wildfires through land and air.

        In the meantime, in Lampung Province, the NOAA Satellite detected three hotspots respectively in the sub-districts of Bungamayang, South Sungkai, and North Kotabumi in North Lampung District, Awal Budiantoro of the North Lampung forestry and plantation office stated on July 1, 2015.

        The three hotspots were found in sugarcane plantations owned by the local farmers, he noted.

        The district's forests also have several hotspots, but they are relatively small and can be kept under control, he remarked.
   The local farmers usually burn fallen leaves after harvesting sugarcane, he added.

        He reminded the local farmers and plantation managers to not set fires to clear land since it is prohibited by the existing laws.

       The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) and the National Agency for Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) are planning to use weather modification technology to create artificial rain in order to extinguish wildfires in Sumatra. ***4***
(f001/H-YH)02-07-2015 23:00:44