Pekanbaru, Ekuatorial – The haze from forest and land fires residue in some areas in Riau adversely affect air quality. At 09.00, the Air Pollution Standard Index (PSI) in Pekanbaru reached 1,065 micrograms per cubic meter of air. Three times over a dangerous level.
Riau status increased to haze emergency.
“Determination of the status is done through coordination meetings with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. The conditions in the field have shown a dangerous level, then we declared an emergency,” said Acting Governor of Riau, Arsyadjuliandi Rachman in the Task Force Command in in Nurjadin Roesmin Airport, Monday (14/9).
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB)said that ARI patients since April 2015 until today up to 14 556 people. “The higher the PSI, the higher the level of pollution, and more harmful on health,” said Head of Data Information and Public Relations of BNPB, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho.
The haze that covers Pekanbaru already disrupted school activities as well as aviation. All students, start from early childhood to higher education send home. Meanwhile, until today no flight activity at Sultan Syarif Kasim II Airport.
“Today visibility in some areas of Riau no more than 80 meters. In Pekanbaru and Rengat, the visibility is only 80 meters. In Dumai and Pangkalan Kerinci or Palalawan just 50 meters,” said the Head of BMKG in Pekanbaru, Sugarin. Winahyu Dwi Utami