TEMPO.CO, Pekanbaru - Head of Information Data Center and Public Relations of the The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), Purwo Nugroho, said the Terra dan Aqua satellite yesterday had spotted 250 hotspots in Riau province.
The number has increased from the previous 80 hotspots.
"Weather is forecast to be drier and this will trigger hotspots," Sutopo told Tempo, yesterday. Hotspots were spotted in almost all regencies in the province.
Rokan Hilir has the most hotspots with 159, followed by Bengkalis (39 hotspots), Dumai (16 hotspots), Rokan Hulu (11 hotspots), Pelalawan (9 hotspots), Kampar (8 hotspots), Indragiri Hilir (5 hotspots), Kuantan Singingi (4 hotspots), and Siak (1 hotspots).
The condition is likely to trigger hotspots, especially because Riau province has entered the dry season for the next two months.
In the meantime, visibility in several regions have dropped, including in Rengat with the visibility of 3 kilometers, Pelalawan (6 kilometers), Dumai (6 kilometers), and Pekanbaru (8 kilometers).
"The threat of haze in Riau is getting bigger," Sutopo said.
Analyst from Pekanbaru Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), Sanya Gautami, said the weather in Riau is forecast to be cloudy with the temperature of 35 degrees Celsius.
Sutopo also said that since April 4, matters related to the control of forest fires have been taken over by Riau Governor Annas Maamun but BNPB would continue to assist the Riau provincial government by conducting weather modification and deploying three water bombing helicopters.
"BNPB Head Syamsul Maarif has instructed BNPB Deputy Chairman for Emergency Measure Affairs to take over measures to strengthen BPBD in Riau and other provinces," said Sutopo.
RIYAN NOFITRA
