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Hotspots and haze return as dry spell hits Sumatra
Haze problem: Students are forced to wear masks as they cycle to school in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, on On Feb
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Haze problem: Students are forced to wear masks as they cycle to school in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, on On Feb. 6, 2014. Pontianak and its surrounding areas were blanketed by thick haze, which prompted the mayor to close local kindergartens and elementary schools. (JP/Severianus Endi) (JP/Severianus Endi)
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span class="inline inline-center">Haze problem: Students are forced to wear masks as they cycle to school in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, on On Feb. 6, 2014. (JP/Severianus Endi)
Hundreds of hotspots indicating the presence of wildfires have been reported in provinces on Sumatra island, which is currently experiencing a dry spell, with temperatures soaring up to 35 degrees Celsius.
Based on the NOAA-18 Satellite monitoring data, a total of 1,470 hotspots were detected across Sumatra during the period between Jan. 1 and June 16, 2015. Of the total hotspots, 621 were found in Riau province, according to Antara news agency.
Sumatra, particularly Riau, has been affected by wildfires in forest, peatland or plantation areas every year over the last 17 years.
On June 28, 2015, the Terra and Aqua satellites detected 207 hotspots across Sumatra.
Of the 207 hotspots, 70 were detected in Riau, said the Pekanbaru meteorological, climatology and geophysics station's head, Sugarin.
In Riau, 24 hotspots were found in Pelalawan regency, 18 in Rokan Hilir, nine in Bengkalis, six in Indragiri Hilir, five in Dumai, three in Siak and Indragiri Hulu. One hotspot each was found in Kuantansingigi, Meranti and Kampar. (hhr)
