Indonesia: six new hotspots in Riau detected

Antara 8 May 12;

Pekanbaru, Riau (ANTARA News) - The Pekanbaru station of Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has detected through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellite six new hotspots in Riau province, according to an analyst.

"The new hotspots came up on Monday (May 7)," BMKG analyst Marzuki said, adding that hotspots were also detected in other provinces of Sumatra island.

He stated that at least eight hotspots were detected in North Sumatra, five each in Aceh and West Sumatra, four in South Sumatra, two each in Bengkulu and Jambi, and one in Lampung province.

"Lack of rainfall in most areas of Sumatra mainland, including Riau province, led to the coming up of the hotspots," Marzuki said.

"The lack of rainfall in Sumatra has been caused by several natural factors, one of them being season transition, which is expected to continue for two more weeks," he added.

The BKMG hopes that people throughout Sumatra, especially in Riau province, avoid torching the land.

NOAA satellites had detected 23 hotspots in Sumatra on Friday, according to BMKG.
(T.KR-FZR/INE/KR-BSR/B003)

Editor: Priyambodo RH