As Indonesia faces a prolonged dry season, the famous Gunung Lawu mountain becomes the latest casualty with wildfires rampant across the nation.
Indonesia’s prolonged drought has brought about devastating wildfires, with Gunung Lawu mountain being the most recent region affected. There are thousands of potential fire hotspots scattered across the country, prompting heightened vigilance.
A wildfire on Gunung Lawu has been raging for six days. Local authorities have noted the difficulty in containing the fire due to the mountain’s steep terrains.
Environment and Forestry Minister, Siti Nurbaya Bakar, stated that as of 2 October 2023, there are 6,659 hotspots with an 80% chance of turning into actual fires.
The government has employed various measures, from aerial firefighting to weather modification techniques, to tackle the fire menace in the prioritized provinces.
Source : JPNN.com (2023)
The National Disaster Management Body (BNPB) has deployed 35 helicopters and has implemented weather modification technology 244 times over the last two months.
Dwikorita Karnawati, Head of Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics, anticipates rain in November influenced by the Asian monsoon winds. However, she warned that the peak of the El Nino season might extend the drought until late October, urging residents to be vigilant against potential fires.
Singaporeans and international visitors planning trips to Indonesia should stay updated on the wildfire situations and travel advisories. The haze resulting from these wildfires can affect air quality in neighboring countries, including Singapore. Visitors should also heed local advisories, avoid affected areas, and be cautious of initiating fires.
Indonesia grapples with a severe drought, leading to widespread wildfires, including on the famed Gunung Lawu mountain. With over 6,000 potential fire hotspots detected, the Indonesian government has ramped up efforts to combat these fires. Expected rains in November may offer relief, but residents and visitors are warned to remain cautious. This situation also poses potential air quality concerns for neighboring nations.
Source : Haluan Kepri, Republika (2023)
