BMKG Warns People of High Smoky Haze
Haze situation in Palembang, South Sumatra, Monday (14/10).
The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has warned the public to be aware of the spread of haze caused by Forest and Land Fires (Karhutla), particularly in Sumatra and Kalimantan.
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (Terra Aqua Modis Satellite), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA-20), and Suomi National Polar-Orbiting Partnership (S-NPP) Satellite have detected an increase in the number of hotspots to 1,547 hotspots between 8th – 14th October in several regions across Indonesia.
“These detected hotspots are located in South Sumatra, Central Kalimantan, Jambi, and East Kalimantan. Meanwhile, the number of hotspots in Riau, South Kalimantan, and West Kalimantan tends to decrease,” Deputy of Meteorology for BMKG Mulyono Rahardi Prabowo said in his press statement on Tuesday (15/10).
Based on visual observation data via Himawari-8 Satellite and wind direction which is predicted to blow towards the Southwest, Mulyono added, the haze tends to spread across South Sumatra, Bengkulu, Jambi, Riau, West Sumatra, Central Kalimantan, and South Kalimantan. He added that the people should remain aware of Karhutla despite rainfall in some areas of Sumatra and Kalimantan.
The BMKG, Mulyono continued, plays an active role together with the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI), the Assessment and Application of Technology Agency (BPPT), and the National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB) in conducting weather-modification operations which aims to increase the potential of rain clouds formation in the areas of Karhutla.
“The BMKG warns people who live in Karhutla’s surrounding areas to be vigilant of the spread of haze,” Mulyono said.
For those seeking the latest information, the BMKG also provides a 24-hour weather information service through:
– call center 021-6546315 / 18;
– http://www.bmkg.go.id;
– twitter account of @infobmkg; or directly contact the nearest BMKG’s office. (HUMAS BMKG / EN / ES)
Translated by: Syarifah Aisyah
Edited by: Rany Anjany/Yuyu Mulyani
