TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency Station in Pekanbaru stated that the Tera and Aqua satellite has recorded 12 hotspots believed to indicate forest fire in a number of regions in Riau. The number is higher compared to previous days, when the satellite only recorded six hotspots.
"The hotspots were monitored on 7:00 AM [Western Indonesia Time]," said BMKG Pekanbaru Chief Sugarin on Tuesday, February 21, 2017.
Sugarin asserted that Rokal Hilir remains as the largest contributor to the number of hotspots with four hotspots, followed by Siak (three hotspots), Indragiri Hilir (two hotspots), Pelalawan (two hotspots), and Kampar (one hotspot).
Sugarin added that seven of the hotspots will potentially turn into forest fires.
Sugarin explained that in general, Riau is experiencing sunny weather with occurrences of occasional overcast, while light to medium intensity rain followed by thunderstorm and gale wind occurred in Central Riau.
Sugarin said that forest fires have been happening in several regions in the province within the last week. Around 20 hectares of peatland in Tanah Putih and Rokan Hilir were on fire, along with peatland in Kermutan and Teluk Meranti in Pelalawan Regency.
RIYAN NOFITRA
