BMKG Detects 4,028 Hotspots Across Sumatra
BMKG station in Riau detected 4,028 hotspots across Sumatra, with South Sumatra recording the highest number at 2,994.
The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) in Indonesia has reported 4,028 hotspots across Sumatra island, with South Sumatra leading the count at 2,994. Bella R. Adelia, a forecaster at BMKG's Pekanbaru station, provided the data update as of 16:00 WIB on Tuesday, September 15. The hotspot distribution extends to Jambi (319), Bangka Belitung (354), Lampung (269), Riau (40), and Bengkulu (32).
Other regions with detected hotspots include West Sumatra (13), North Sumatra (2), and the Riau Islands (5). In Riau alone, six areas are affected: Indragiri Hulu Regency with the highest number of 24, followed by Indragiri Hilir (7), Kuantan Singingi (4), and Pelalawan (3). Dumai City and Rokan Hilir each have one hotspot. The haze situation in Riau has led to limited visibility, with Pekanbaru and Rengat seeing three kilometers visibility, Pelalawan at 2.5 kilometers, and Tambang at around four kilometers.
BMKG's Warjono explained that the haze, worsening air quality in Riau, is originating from forest fires in southern Sumatra, driven by winds from the southeast and southwest. The smoke movement indicates potential drift from areas south of Riau, suggesting external influences on the province's conditions.
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