Latest news with #AbdulMuhari
Arab Times
3 days ago
- Climate
- Arab Times
Indonesia on alert as forest fires escalate in western region
JAKARTA, July 22, (Xinhua): Indonesian authorities announced that the country's western region is currently on high alert for forest and land fires, with Riau province reporting the highest number of hotspots. Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) said Monday that forest and land fires have been the dominant type of disaster in the Southeast Asian country since early July. Of the 42 disasters recorded so far this month, 33 are forest and land fires. The fires have spread extensively across Sumatra Island, affecting provinces including Aceh, North Sumatra, Riau, West Sumatra, Jambi, and South Sumatra. In Riau, the most vulnerable and currently burning regencies are Kampar, Siak, Bengkalis, and Rokan Hilir, where more than 100 hectares of land have been scorched. "The hot and dry weather conditions have increased the risk, especially as rainfall has significantly declined across much of Sumatra," said Abdul Muhari, head of the center for data, information, and disaster communication at BNPB, in Jakarta. Hotspots have also been detected in Central Kalimantan, while fires have been reported at final waste disposal sites in Central Java and East Java. Separately, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency office in Riau's Pekanbaru city reported that smoke from forest fires in the province has drifted into neighboring Malaysia. Satellite monitoring shows the smoke crossing the Malacca Strait and reaching parts of the Malay Peninsula. The agency warned that the number of hotspots could continue to rise if the dry conditions persist and the public fails to comply with the ban on land burning.
The Star
3 days ago
- Climate
- The Star
Indonesia on high alert as dry weather fans forest, peatland fires in Sumatra
A police officer spraying water in an attempt to extinguish a fire razing through a peatland field in Ogan Ilir, South Sumatra on July 20, 2025. - AP JAKARTA: Indonesia's western region is now on high alert, as fires continue to rip through forest and peatlands in Sumatra island. 'The hot and dry weather conditions have increased the risk, especially as rainfall has significantly declined across much of Sumatra,' Abdul Muhari, a spokesperson for Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), told the Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua on Tuesday (July 22). The number of hot spots – places with intense heat suggesting forest fires – in Sumatra has soared from 94 to over 1,000 in 10 days in July, according to Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency. More than 140 forest and peatlands fires were reported in Riau province in central Sumatra over the weekend. Rokan Hilir and Rokan Hulu were the two districts worst hit by fires, which burned about 46ha there, resulting in heavy haze pollution across the area that reduced visibility to as low as a kilometre. A number of areas in the province were still covered by thick haze on July 22, although choking smoke had not been registered in the provincial capital of Pekanbaru, said Riau deputy police chief Adrianto Jossy Kusumo. The BNPB warned that there could be more hot spots if the dry conditions persist. Disaster management officials have been trying to contain the forest fires by, among other measures, seeding clouds to endure rainfall. On July 19, the authorities reported that the number of hot spots had fallen to 294 as they managed to extinguish fires in several places. Forest fires are an annual problem in Indonesia that strains relations with neighbouring countries. In recent years, smoke from the fires has blanketed parts of Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and southern Thailand. Four places in Malaysia recorded unhealthy air pollutant index (API) readings early on July 22. The affected areas are Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, with an API of 155; Nilai, 154; Johan Setia in Selangor, 151; and Balok Baru in Kuantan, Pahang, 140. API levels of between 101 and 200 are considered unhealthy, especially for high-risk groups such as the elderly, children and individuals with respiratory illnesses. - The Straits Times/ANN
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Climate
- Straits Times
Indonesia on high alert as dry weather fans forest, peatland fires in Sumatra
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Forest fires are an annual problem in Indonesia that strains relations with neighbouring countries. Indonesia's western region is now on high alert, as fires continue to rip through forest and peatlands in Sumatra island. 'The hot and dry weather conditions have increased the risk, especially as rainfall has significantly declined across much of Sumatra,' Mr Abdul Muhari, a spokesperson for Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), told the Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua on July 22. The number of hot spots – places with intense heat suggesting forest fires – in Sumatra has soared from 94 to over 1,000 in 10 days in July, according to Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency. More than 140 forest and peatlands fires were reported in Riau province in central Sumatra over the weekend. Rokan Hilir and Rokan Hulu were the two districts worst hit by fires, which burned about 46ha there , resulting in heavy haze pollution across the area that reduced visibility to as low as a kilometre . A number of areas in the province were still covered by thick haze on July 22 , although choking smoke had not been registered in the provincial capital of Pekanbaru, said Riau deputy police chief Adrianto Jossy Kusumo. The BNPB warned that there could be more hot spots if the dry conditions persist. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 can claim $600 SG60 vouchers from July 22 Singapore Miscalculation of MOH subsidies and grants led to $7m in overpayments, $2m in shortfalls Singapore Changi Airport handles 17.5 million passengers in Q2 2025 Singapore 2 charged over alleged involvement in posting of bail for man who subsequently absconded Singapore Teen charged after allegedly selling vaporisers, advertising e-cigarettes on WhatsApp Life Having a workout partner could be the secret to sticking to your fitness goals Singapore 2,500 turtles seized in India and sent back to S'pore, put down humanely after salmonella detected Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving Disaster management officials have been trying to contain the forest fires by, among other measures, seeding clouds to endure rainfall. On July 19, the authorities reported that the number of hot spots had fallen to 294 as they managed to extinguish fires in several places. Forest fires are an annual problem in Indonesia that strains relations with neighbouring countries. In recent years, smoke from the fires has blanketed parts of Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and southern Thailand. Four places in Malaysia recorded unhealthy air pollutant index (API) readings early on July 22. The affected areas are Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, with an API of 155; Nilai, 154; Johan Setia in Selangor, 151; and Balok Baru in Kuantan, Pahang, 140. API levels of between 101 and 200 are considered unhealthy, especially for high-risk groups such as the elderly, children and individuals with respiratory illnesses.
Malaysia Sun
4 days ago
- Climate
- Malaysia Sun
Indonesia on alert as forest fires escalate in western region
JAKARTA, July 22 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian authorities announced that the country's western region is currently on high alert for forest and land fires, with Riau province reporting the highest number of hotspots. Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) said Monday that forest and land fires have been the dominant type of disaster in the Southeast Asian country since early July. Of the 42 disasters recorded so far this month, 33 are forest and land fires. The fires have spread extensively across Sumatra Island, affecting provinces including Aceh, North Sumatra, Riau, West Sumatra, Jambi, and South Sumatra. In Riau, the most vulnerable and currently burning regencies are Kampar, Siak, Bengkalis, and Rokan Hilir, where more than 100 hectares of land have been scorched. "The hot and dry weather conditions have increased the risk, especially as rainfall has significantly declined across much of Sumatra," said Abdul Muhari, head of the center for data, information, and disaster communication at BNPB, in Jakarta. Hotspots have also been detected in Central Kalimantan, while fires have been reported at final waste disposal sites in Central Java and East Java. Separately, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency office in Riau's Pekanbaru city reported that smoke from forest fires in the province has drifted into neighboring Malaysia. Satellite monitoring shows the smoke crossing the Malacca Strait and reaching parts of the Malay Peninsula. The agency warned that the number of hotspots could continue to rise if the dry conditions persist and the public fails to comply with the ban on land burning.
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Climate
- New Straits Times
Indonesia begins cloud seeding to fight Riau fires as haze drifts into Malaysia
JAKARTA: Indonesia is set to begin cloud seeding operations on Monday in Riau province to combat escalating forest and land fires, which are already causing haze to drift into parts of Malaysia. Abdul Muhari, spokesperson for Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), stated that the operation will last for at least seven days, with potential extensions based on conditions on the ground. "A Cessna aircraft is scheduled to depart from Pondok Cabe Airport in Banten province on Sunday, and cloud seeding operations will be carried out on Monday using sodium chloride (NaCl) to induce rainfall over areas affected by the fires," Muhari said in a statement. Data from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) indicated 1,208 fire hotspots across Sumatra as of Sunday, with 586 located in Riau alone. Local broadcaster Metro TV reported that haze from these fires has already reached parts of Malaysia. To further aid in the effort, BNPB will deploy a Bell 206 helicopter for aerial patrols and has repositioned a Mi-8MSB-T water bombing helicopter from Palembang to Riau. Additionally, a joint ground task force comprising disaster officials, military personnel, police, fire brigades, and volunteers will be mobilised to address the situation.– BERNAMA
