An analist of the Riau BMKG Warih Puji Lestari said in Pekanbaru Saturday that of the 381 hot spots monitored by the weather satellite National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 18 currently operated in Singapore, and most of the hotspots are still in South Sumatra reaching 179 spots.
Second, Warih said, was reached by Jambi province with 94 spots, followed by Riau province with 78 spots, Lampung 12, North Sumatra Utara six, Bangka Belitung five, West Sumatra four, Bengkulu two, and Aceh also one hot spot.
"In Riau, the hot spots had been detected in eight regencies, like Rokan Hulu and Siak with one hot spot each, Kampar regency two spots, Rokan Hilir three, Kuantansingingi four, Indragiri Hilir 15, Pelalawan 25 and Indragiri Hulu 27 hot spots.
The high frequency of hot spots in most of Sumatra, especially in Riau, Warih said was caused by the rather hot weather causing dryness in a number of areas especially where they are many mangrove forests or high wild grass.
"This condition should not become worsed by land fires as it will make the climate and air hotter and dryness will become more serious," Warih said.
She predicted that the number of hot spots may increase as the hot season is still in a transition or turn of the tide from the dry to the wet season. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
