TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Pekanbaru Station of Meteorology Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) said that the rainy season that should have been falling on Riau is delayed by the thick haze that cover the sky.
“The haze prevented the rainfall,” said Pekanbaru BMKG Analyst, Ardhitama, yesterday.
The thick haze blocked the sun light resulting in an incomplete radiation. It reduced river and sea water evaporation.
The haze had returned to Riau since the last three days and the air quality worsen in the region. Pollution standard index reach 112 Psi, or harmful for health.
Tera and Aqua satelite observed as many as 510 hot spots spread across Sumatra. Most hot spots are observed in South Sumatra (499 hot spots), and then Jambi (17 hot spots), Lampung (11 hot spots) and Bangka Belitung (11 hot spots).
The haze has reduced the visibility up to 2 kilometers in Pekanbaru, 1 kilometer in Rengat, 3 kilometers in Dumai, and 1 kilometer in Pelalawan.
RIYAN NOFITRA | KARANA W. | HARUN MAHBUB