Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto demanded comprehensive briefings on the situation in West Kalimantan amid widespread wildfires to decide on the most feasible and effective fire suppression strategy.
“I come here to observe the actual conditions. Now, I would like someone here to give me a presentation on the situation,” he remarked while chairing a meeting on wildfire containment in Kubu Raya District, West Kalimantan, on Saturday.
He requested situation updates after Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya reported the meeting brought together representatives from central and regional institutions.
Participants included senior delegates from ministries and state agencies, regional governments, local military and police forces, and regional disaster mitigation agencies.
In response, National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) expert staff member Asrianus Bulo outlined the result of a 24hour satellite observation of hotspots.
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He pointed to 198 high-confidence hotspots across West Kalimantan, accompanied by 3,100 medium-confidence hotspots, and another 406 with lower confidence levels.
“Our reports indicate that most of these hotspots are located in Ketapang, Kubu Raya, and North Kayong districts in the southern sector. Significant hotspots are also evident in Sanggau, Sintang, and Sambas districts,” Bulo added.
The president also received updates on weather conditions, a crucial factor in fire suppression efforts. He learned that light rain is forecast in eastern West Kalimantan between August 21 and 27.
In the context, Bulo told Prabowo weather modification operations had been conducted from August 11 to 18 before being halted due to unfavorable cloud formations.
The BNPB official added that his agency plans to resume such operations between August 23 and 27, following consultation with the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).
Prabowo took in the reports to gain a clearer picture of the situation and determine follow-up measures involving central and regional institutions.
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Translator: A. Ramadhan, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Fransiska Ninditya
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