Intermittent rain brings relief despite lingering haze<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Intermittent rain in two southern Sumatran
\ntowns, Jambi and Palembang, in the last three days has brought
\nsunlight back to the region which has been blanketed by smog for
\nalmost four months.<\/p>\n
Visibility at Jambi's Sultan Thaha Airport was reported to be
\nmore than 2,000 meters.<\/p>\n
An officer at the airport described the situation as \"not bad\"
\nfor flights, while in Palembang, South Sumatra, a telephone
\noperator said the weather yesterday was clear.<\/p>\n
\"Slight rain fell this morning. The weather at the airport now
\nis clear enough for flights. A heavy downpour Thursday helped
\nclear the air,\" Sanab Suwarno, a senior officer at Sultan Thaha
\nAirport, told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
\"There has not yet been any landings (of airplanes) today
\n(Friday),\" he said but added that flights would likely resume
\ntoday. Mandala airlines are due to resume flights to Sultan Thaha
\ntoday followed by Merpati Monday.<\/p>\n
The airport has been closed since Aug. 31.<\/p>\n
Airport administrator, Yuli Sudoso, said the airport, which
\nearns about Rp 37 million (US$10,800) a day, had already suffered
\nRp 2.7 billion in losses.<\/p>\n
Head of the Sultan Thaha Airport's Meteorology and Geophysics
\nAgency Aryana Yasin said the rainy season should have started in
\nJambi this week. He warned thick haze could return if southern
\nwinds dominate.<\/p>\n
\"Air pressure in Jambi is low,\" he explained.<\/p>\n
Rain would keep the skies haze-free and also deter the wider
\nspread of forest fires.<\/p>\n
In Palembang, South Sumatra, 200 kilometers south of Jambi, a
\nheavy downpour fell on the city Thursday.<\/p>\n
\"It's clear today, although a slight haze is still lingering,\"
\nthe resident, a telephone operator in Palembang, told the Post.<\/p>\n
An official at the town administration office, Idris Musa,
\nsaid rain had also fallen in Kota Lahat and Bayung Lincir, in the
\nregency of Musi Banyuasin, one of the areas worst hit by forest
\nfires.<\/p>\n
This year's drought is said to be the worst in half a century.
\nIt has been exacerbated by fires that have destroyed 300,000
\nhectares of the country's forest and land.<\/p>\n
The disaster has drawn international attention and an
\noutpouring of assistance has steadily been coming in.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, the People's Republic of China said it would
\ndonate US$120,000 in the form of fire fighting equipment and
\nmedical relief to Indonesia.<\/p>\n
A statement from the Chinese Embassy here said the equipment
\nwould consist of fire extinguishers to fight forest fires in
\nseven Indonesian provinces.<\/p>\n
Yesterday, the Australian government also announced that it
\nwould provide A$280,000 to the Australian Red Cross Society to
\nassist Indonesia in dealing with the effects of the haze
\nblanketing the archipelago. (aan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/intermittent-rain-brings-relief-despite-lingering-haze-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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