TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Smog from forest fires in several areas in Riau has started to harm the air quality in West Sumatra. "Smog from Riau can still be seen clearly," said Leni Rika, resident of Payakumbuh, West Sumatra yesterday.
Analyst from the Pekanbaru Meterology, Climatology, and Geophysics, Agus Widodo, confirmed that the smog in West Sumatera is from Riau. "Smoke from Riau is brought by wind from east to southwest and south and ends up shrouding Jambi and West Sumatra," he said yesterday.
However, the smog in these two regions is not solely from Riau. Agus said Tera and Aqua satellites detected 14 hotspots in Jambi and three hotspots in West Sumatera. "In total, there are 220 hotspots in Sumatera. Riau has the most with 166 hotspots," he said.
Based from the monitoring yesterday morning, hotpots in Riau increased after dropping to only 64 spots. Bengkalis still has the most with 83 hotspots. Other hotspots are in Meranti (28), Dumai (21), Rokan Hilir (9), Pelalawan (8), Indragiri Hilir (8), and Siak (7). He opined the visibility until yesterday afternoon fell to 2,000 meters.
Agus said Riau's weather is still partly sunny and partly cloudy accompanied with smog. "There is rain, but only local," he said.
Sultan Syarif Kasim II Airport Duty Manager Baiquni said flight activities are still normal despite limited visibility. "Flight is normal," uttered Sultan.
RIYAN NOFITRA
