JAKARTA - Indonesia's longer and more intense dry season this year has led to a rising number of hotspots, indicating greater risks of forest and land fires, the meteorological agency warned on Wednesday.
About 1,700 hotspots were detected from satellite monitoring, primarily in Sumatra and Kalimantan, according to the agency. The number is higher compared to the same period last year, raising concerns among authorities.
The dry season, exacerbated by the El Niño phenomenon, is expected to peak in August and September. The government has urged local authorities to prepare for potential fires and haze, which could affect public health and air travel.
In response, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has deployed water-bombing aircraft and conducted cloud seeding operations in vulnerable areas. Officials emphasize the importance of preventing slash-and-burn farming, a common cause of fires.
