Degraded air quality is directly linked to a rise in acute respiratory infections among the public,
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's weather agency on Thursday issued a health warning over rising risks of heatstroke and acute respiratory infections as low cloud cover and severe drought conditions drive up temperatures across the archipelago.

Ardhasena Sopaheluwakan, Deputy Head for Climatology at the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), urged the public and health authorities to take precautionary measures during a press conference in Jakarta.

"The health sector is equally critical. Hot weather typically accompanies the dry season because cloud cover remains low during this period," Ardhasena said.

Clear skies have led to intense solar radiation, pushing daily maximum temperatures to between 30°C and 34°C in several regions, including parts of Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, and Papua.

Forecasters warned that prolonged exposure to these conditions, particularly during outdoor activities, significantly increases the risk of heatstroke and dehydration. In addition, deteriorating air quality caused by airborne dust and potential haze from forest and land fires poses a growing threat to respiratory health.

"Degraded air quality is directly linked to a rise in acute respiratory infections among the public," he said.

To reduce health risks, BMKG advised outdoor workers and the public to stay hydrated, wear protective gear such as hats and sunglasses, and apply sunscreen to protect against harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

The agency stressed that early intervention by the health sector is essential to reducing climate-related illnesses, adding that it will continue updating atmospheric data to help authorities identify high-risk areas.



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Translator: M. Riezko Bima Elko Prasetyo, Aditya Eko Sigit Wic
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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