Haze from Sumatra's Wildfires Likely to Affect Malaysia, Singapore

Pekanbaru, Riau (Antara Bali) - Haze has engulfed almost all regions on Sumatra Island and is mostly likely to affect Malaysia and Singapore, according to a meteorology analyst.

"This morning's data shows that almost every province across Sumatra Island has been shrouded by haze, from South Sumatra, Jambi, West Sumatra, Riau, and Medan up to Aceh," Sugarin, the head of the Pekanbaru meteorology station, stated here, Friday.

According to Sugarin, only small parts of Sumatra Island such as Lampung and Bengkulu Provinces are free from haze.

On Friday noon, the visibility in Riau decreased to 700 meters due to the haze arising from South Sumatra, Jambi, and Riau itself. The wind was blowing from south to north, he noted.

"If the fires are not handled properly, the haze situation will worsen and most likely cross into the neighboring countries as the wind is blowing from south to north," he added.

Based on the Terra and Aqua satellites' monitoring at 5 a.m. local time on Friday, there were 362 hotspots across Sumatra Island.

Some 173 hotspots were detected in South Sumatra Province, 148 in Jambi, 31 in Riau, eight in Bangka Belitung, and one each in Lampung and West Sumatra.

In the meantime, the police officers in East Aceh distributed face masks to the local inhabitants to protect them from developing respiratory infections due to exposure to haze, which is shrouding parts of Aceh Province.

Some 10 thousand face masks were distributed to the people who were engaged in outdoor activities, Chief of East Aceh Adjunct Senior Commission Hendri Budiman remarked in Idi, Thursday.

East Aceh, Lhokseumawe, and North Aceh Districts have been affected by the haze arising from Sumatras peatland and bush fires.

According to the Blang Bintang meteorology station in Aceh Besar District, no hotspot was detected in Aceh province. (WDY)