Number of hotspots in Sumatra drops sharply

Eileen Poh Channel NewsAsia 28 Aug 13;

SINGAPORE: There has been a sharp drop in the number of hotspots detected in Sumatra.

According to the latest numbers from the National Environment Agency (NEA), 99 hotspots were recorded on Wednesday, a sharp drop from the 308 hotspots detected on August 27.

On August 26, the number of hotspots in Sumatra jumped to 488 to hit its highest in 30 days.

However, NEA noted that the actual number is uncertain due to cloud-cover over Sumatra.

It added that the occurrence of showers may have helped to subdue some of the hotspot activity.

The NEA said showers are forecast over central and southern Sumatra for the next few days.

It also added that Indonesia has said that water bombing and cloud seeding are underway to put out the fires.

- CNA/fa