Indonesia Dispatches Firefighting Equipment to Five Kalimantan Provinces

Indonesia's Ministry of Public Works is sending firefighting equipment to five Kalimantan provinces in response to the ongoing forest and land fires, known locally as karhutla. Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo emphasized that the priority is to respond swiftly to field requirements, particularly to maintain essential public services. The equipment, consisting of mobile pumps, water tanker trucks, and centrifugal pumps, is being transported from Jakarta's Tanjung Priok Port to the provinces via sea.

West, Central, and South Kalimantan will receive one 5,000-liter water tanker truck, one 250-liter-per-second mobile pump, and one 6-inch centrifugal pump. Meanwhile, East Kalimantan (Kalimantan IV Samarinda) and North Kalimantan (Kalimantan V Tanjung Selor) will each get a 4,000-liter water tanker truck and a 6-inch centrifugal pump.

These shipments aim to complement the equipment already present in Kalimantan, with additional necessities like 3-inch centrifugal pumps, jet sprinklers, backpack pumps, extension hoses, and water storage tanks to be procured locally.

Director General of Water Resources Arnold A.P. Ritiauw highlighted that these resources are crucial for accelerating the response to forest and land fires, helping ground firefighting efforts. The Ministry of Public Works is supporting these efforts by ensuring the equipment is ready for deployment according to field conditions and needs. This action is part of the Ministry's broader strategy to build and manage water resource infrastructure while ensuring readiness for emergency situations.