Forest fires in Sumatra are worsening as the Indonesian govt promises to ramp up the response
JAKARTA (Xinhua): Indonesian authorities have been accelerating efforts to tackle forest and land fires, particularly in Riau province and other regions across Sumatra Island in the country's western territories.
According to the Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs Budi Gunawan, a spike in hotspots was detected in Riau between July 19 and 20, with smoke potentially drifting to neighbouring countries.
"The haze from the forest fires is starting to affect neighbouring countries, Malaysia and Singapore. They have expressed their concerns through diplomatic channels," he said during a virtual coordination meeting on wildfire management held in Pekanbaru, Riau, on Wednesday.
Budi added that significant forest fires were also reported in other parts of Sumatra, including Jambi and South Sumatra provinces, as well as in West Kalimantan on Borneo Island.
He urged the immediate deployment of all available personnel and equipment to the field to bring the fires under control.
Indonesia is frequently affected by forest and land fires, a major contributor to regional haze and greenhouse gas emissions. The country faces increasingly prolonged and drier dry seasons, making it more vulnerable to such disasters.
Recently, Riau Governor Abdul Wahid declared a state of emergency in response to the growing number of hotspots and fire points detected over the past week. The emergency status underscored the deteriorating conditions on the ground. - Bernama-Xinhua
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
Philippine cyclones death toll rises to 30, seven missing
MANILA: (Bernama-Xinhua) At least 30 Filipinos are now known to have died in the southwest monsoon enhanced by three tropical cyclones that triggered flash floods and landslides in the Philippines since last week, Xinhua reported, quoting a Philippine government agency on Saturday (July 26). In a report, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that seven others are missing, either swept away by flash floods or buried in landslides. It added that the massive flooding and landslides also resulted in 10 injuries. The agency reported that it validated 13 of the 30 fatalities. The NDRRMC reported that over 1.46 million families, or approximately 5.30 million people, were affected nationwide. The Office of Civil Defence reported that 88 cities and municipalities have declared a state of calamity to expedite emergency response efforts and facilitate access to necessary resources. Typhoon Wipha, Francisco, and Co-May have exited the Philippines, but the state weather bureau warned Saturday that the southwest monsoon is expected to dump more rain in the coming days in parts of Luzon Island. An average of 20 typhoons lash the Philippines yearly. - Bernama-Xinhua
Malaysian Reserve
6 hours ago
- Malaysian Reserve
Philippine cyclones death toll rises to 30, 7 missing
MANILA — At least 30 Filipinos are now known to have died in the southwest monsoon enhanced by three tropical cyclones that triggered flash floods and landslides in the Philippines since last week, Xinhua reported, quoting a Philippine government agency on Saturday. In a report, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that seven others are missing, either swept away by flash floods or buried in landslides. It added that the massive flooding and landslides also resulted in 10 injuries. The agency reported that it validated 13 of the 30 fatalities. The NDRRMC reported that over 1.46 million families, or approximately 5.30 million people, were affected nationwide. The Office of Civil Defence reported that 88 cities and municipalities have declared a state of calamity to expedite emergency response efforts and facilitate access to necessary resources. Typhoon Wipha, Francisco, and Co-May have exited the Philippines, but the state weather bureau warned Saturday that the southwest monsoon is expected to dump more rain in the coming days in parts of Luzon Island. An average of 20 typhoons lash the Philippines yearly. — BERNAMA-XINHUA
The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
Lao communities on edge as river levels climb amid continuous rainfall
FILE PHOTO: Flooding in Luang Namtha province on September 9, 2024. - Social Economic News via Vientiane Times/ANN VIENTIANE: Lao residents remain on alert as river levels continue to rise, with some waterways reaching warning and danger thresholds, prompting heightened vigilance and preparations for potential flash floods. Continuous rainfall across Laos has caused river levels to rise, with the water level of the Mekong River section in Lao capital Vientiane reaching 12.51 metres on Friday (July 25), just above the danger level of 12.50 metres, according to the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Amid cloudy skies and the swiftly flowing Mekong River, many villagers - especially those living along the riverbanks - have been keeping a close watch on the rising water levels, looking for any signs of overflow or potential flooding. Some have also captured photos and videos of the river to share with friends and family to raise awareness and encourage others to stay alert. Phet, a 52-year-old villager living near the riverbank in Vientiane, shared that the continuous rainfall has caused the river to rise quickly, prompting him to check the water levels every day in preparation for possible flooding. "Because we live close to the river, my family and I always keep emergency supplies ready and stay prepared in case of flooding during the rainy season," Phet told Xinhua on Friday. Manivong, a resident of Vientiane, expressed heartfelt sympathy for those already affected by flooding, emphasising the importance of community support and preparedness during the ongoing rainy season. "I've seen the impact of flooding, especially in the northern provinces. It makes me feel deeply sad, but it also reminds me to stay prepared and take precautions to minimise any potential damage," she added. As continuous rain raises water levels in the Mekong River and nearby waterways, Lao authorities on Friday warned 60 village leaders in Hadxayfong district of Vientiane to prepare for flooding. Local officials are urged to help residents move belongings to higher ground and provide daily updates to officials. In addition, river levels in provinces such as Bolikhamxay surpassed the danger threshold on Friday, causing flooding and extensive damage to homes, farmland, and transportation infrastructure. - Xinhua
