On Friday morning, 54 hotspots were spotted in Riau Province, but this figure had decreased significantly, from 126 hotspots on Thursday, the agency's head, Sukisno, noted.
The hotspots were also detected in the provinces of Aceh, Jambi, Lampung, West Sumatra, South Sumatra, and Bangka Belitung, he informed attendants of a meeting held to discuss measures to mitigate land and forest fires in Riau. Related news: Pekanbaru shrouded in haze from forest fire
In Riau, the hotspots were detected in Dumai and several districts amid the dry season that affected the province's areas that have not received rainfall for 22 days, he noted.
Pelalawan, Bengkalis, Kuansing, Meranti, Rokan Hilir, Siak, Indragiri Hilir, and Indragiri Hulu were among the affected districts, he stated, adding that the hotspots potentially trigger land and forest fires, whose haze was expected to not shroud Malaysia and Singapore.
Indonesia is bracing for a devastating and protracted drought this year, according to the BMKG's warning, with the condition likely to peak in August and September.
Those residing in the affected areas should maintain vigil to deal with the impact of the drought.
It has not merely led to a scarcity of clean water and a deterioration in the air quality, but it has also triggered a potential recurrence of bush and forest fires in certain provinces.
Related news: 11 provinces should declare alert status for forest fire: Ministry
Related news: Nearly 50 million Indonesians threatened by extreme drought
Translator: FB Anggoro, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Sri Haryati
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