Pekanbaru, Riau, Feb 22 (Antarariau.com) - The Riau Disaster Mitigation Agency has allocated Rp2.4 billion in the province's 2018 regional budget for tackling forest and land fires, the agency's head, Edwar Sanger, stated here on Thursday.
"The allocated funds of Rp2,405,568,600 will be used for implementing preventive and emergency measures," Edwar Sanger informed Antara when questioned about the Riau provincial government's endeavors to deal with this year's threats of land and forest fires.
He remarked that a total of Rp1,329,606,400 of the allocated funds would be used, among others, for procuring fire extinguishers and supporting socialization and training programs while the remaining amount of Rp1,075,962,200 will be utilized for emergency operations.
Due to an increase in the number of hotspots in certain parts of the province, Riau has declared an emergency alert status to halt forest and land fires. This emergency alert status came into effect from February 19, 2018, and will last until May 31, 2018.
The Riau Land and Forest Fire Task Force had recorded that a total of 641.3 hectares of land was burnt during the period between Jan 14 and Jan 21.
Sanger remarked that the task force needs assistance from the National Disaster Mitigation Agency to strengthen its capability to conduct aerial operations to extinguish forest and land fires.
To handle this condition, Riau needs helicopters for conducting water-bombing operations and an aircraft to conduct weather modification activities and produce artificial rain, he stated, adding that he had sought the agency's help.
"We still need an official letter from the Riau governor. Hopefully, we would be able to fulfill all requirements at any time," he emphasized.
Meanwhile, the Pekanbaru Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) reported that the Terra and Aqua satellites had detected eight hotspots in the province on Thursday morning.
Four of the eight hotspots detected in the districts of Bengkalis, Siak, Rokan Hilir, and Dumai have a confidence level of above 70 percent.
Nevertheless, the BMKG has forecast that certain areas in Riau, including Pekanbaru, Pelalawan, Kuantan Singingi, Rokan Hulu, and Kampar, are likely to receive rainfall.
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Reported by FB Anggoro
"The allocated funds of Rp2,405,568,600 will be used for implementing preventive and emergency measures," Edwar Sanger informed Antara when questioned about the Riau provincial government's endeavors to deal with this year's threats of land and forest fires.
He remarked that a total of Rp1,329,606,400 of the allocated funds would be used, among others, for procuring fire extinguishers and supporting socialization and training programs while the remaining amount of Rp1,075,962,200 will be utilized for emergency operations.
Due to an increase in the number of hotspots in certain parts of the province, Riau has declared an emergency alert status to halt forest and land fires. This emergency alert status came into effect from February 19, 2018, and will last until May 31, 2018.
The Riau Land and Forest Fire Task Force had recorded that a total of 641.3 hectares of land was burnt during the period between Jan 14 and Jan 21.
Sanger remarked that the task force needs assistance from the National Disaster Mitigation Agency to strengthen its capability to conduct aerial operations to extinguish forest and land fires.
To handle this condition, Riau needs helicopters for conducting water-bombing operations and an aircraft to conduct weather modification activities and produce artificial rain, he stated, adding that he had sought the agency's help.
"We still need an official letter from the Riau governor. Hopefully, we would be able to fulfill all requirements at any time," he emphasized.
Meanwhile, the Pekanbaru Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) reported that the Terra and Aqua satellites had detected eight hotspots in the province on Thursday morning.
Four of the eight hotspots detected in the districts of Bengkalis, Siak, Rokan Hilir, and Dumai have a confidence level of above 70 percent.
Nevertheless, the BMKG has forecast that certain areas in Riau, including Pekanbaru, Pelalawan, Kuantan Singingi, Rokan Hulu, and Kampar, are likely to receive rainfall.
***4***
Reported by FB Anggoro
