{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1810269,
        "msgid": "south-sumatra-bpbd-proposes-four-additional-water-bombing-helicopters-1781783633",
        "date": "2026-06-18 18:19:12",
        "title": "South Sumatra BPBD Proposes Four Additional Water Bombing Helicopters",
        "author": "",
        "source": "ANTARA_ID",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Environment",
        "summary": "South Sumatra's disaster mitigation agency has requested four additional water bombing helicopters to bolster firefighting capabilities ahead of the peak dry season. The province currently operates six aircraft and seeks to expand the fleet to eight water bombers and two patrol helicopters to combat forest and land fires.",
        "content": "<p>Palembang (ANTARA) - The South Sumatra Regional Disaster Management\nAgency (BPBD) has proposed the addition of four water bombing\nhelicopters to strengthen the handling of forest and land fires\n(karhutla) ahead of the peak dry season, which is expected to occur in\nJuly and August 2026. Sudirman, Head of the Emergency Handling Division\nat BPBD South Sumatra, stated on Thursday that the proposal is part of\nsupport from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) to enhance\npreparedness for potential karhutla in the region. Overall, South\nSumatra requires two air patrol helicopters and eight water bombing\nhelicopters to support fire suppression operations. \u201cCurrently, there\nare six units on standby in South Sumatra, consisting of two patrol\nhelicopters and four water bombing helicopters,\u201d he said. Therefore, the\naddition of four water bombing helicopters is proposed to accelerate\nkarhutla handling during the peak dry season. However, the realisation\nof the fleet increase will depend on the development of karhutla\nconditions in South Sumatra and directives from BNPB. \u201cThis addition of\nwater bombing helicopters is in accordance with BNPB\u2019s instructions, but\nit still depends on the karhutla conditions in South Sumatra,\u201d he\nstated. Besides speeding up extinguishing efforts, the use of water\nbombing helicopters is also considered effective in suppressing the\npotential spread of fires to other vulnerable areas. Meanwhile, the\nSouth Sumatra Provincial Government has declared a karhutla emergency\nalert status from 22 April 2026 to 30 November 2026 as an anticipatory\nmeasure for the dry season. BPBD South Sumatra also urges the public and\ncompanies not to clear land by burning, as it risks triggering larger\nfires. \u201cPrevention remains the primary measure to minimise karhutla\nincidents,\u201d Sudirman said.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/south-sumatra-bpbd-proposes-four-additional-water-bombing-helicopters-1781783633",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}