TEMPO.CO, Pekanbaru - Pekanbaru Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reported the Tera and Aqua satellite has spotted 443 hotspots in dozens of areas in Riau province.
The number shows a rising trend from the previous 177 hotspots. The visibility was also reported to be just 500 meters.
"Those hotspots were spotted from the monitoring done at 7 a.m.," said an official at Pekanbaru BMKG, Slamet Ryadi, yesterday.
Slamet said visibility on Saturday morning in Pekanbaru was still at the normal level, which is 1,000 meter. However, as the day progressed, visibility dropped to just 500 meters due to the thickening haze.
BMKG forecasted it would still be sunny in several parts of Riau, but haze is expected to persist. It also said the province will have little rain, especially in the southern part such as Kuantan Singingi and Indragiri Hulu.
In the meantime, haze has also disrupted flights at Pekanbaru’s airport. Five planes have delayed their flights, while two others canceled landing at the airport. Visibility was also reported to be just 400-800 meters.
"Thick haze covered the runway and reduced the visibility," said an airport official to Tempo, yesterday.
RIYAN NOFITRA