BMKG reports reduced visibility in Batam due to smoke from hotspots
The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) at the Hang Nadim Class I Meteorological Station in Batam, Kepulauan Riau, has reported a decline in visibility in the Batam area, suspected to be influenced by smoke from several hotspots in the Riau Islands.
Forecaster Fitri Annisa from the Hang Nadim Class I Meteorological Station said that visibility, which normally reaches around 10 kilometres in clear and cloudy weather conditions, has dropped to around 6 kilometres.
“Normally under normal weather conditions, namely clear and cloudy, visibility ranges around 10 kilometres. However, today visibility has been observed to decrease to 6 kilometres,” Fitri said in Batam on Monday.
“In our view, this decrease in visibility could be influenced by the presence of several hotspots in the Riau Islands region, including Batam,” she said.
One of the fires occurred in a hilly and shrubland area on Jalan Trans Barelang, Tembesi Village, Sagulung District, on Saturday (22/8). The fire scorched approximately 35 hectares of land.
Fitri said that although the fire location is not near Hang Nadim Airport, smoke can be carried by the wind to several other areas.
“Although the hotspots are not in the vicinity of the airport, due to the influence of wind, the smoke can reach several other areas in Batam City, including the airport area,” she said.
She said that visibility of around 6 kilometres is still sufficient to support flight activities.
“At 6 kilometres it is still possible. Usually 10 kilometres is very clear for take-off, but 6 kilometres is still workable. It is just not as clear as usual,” she said.
According to Fitri, the decrease in visibility began to be observed on Monday morning at around 06.00 WIB. The smoke conditions are also uneven, as they are influenced by wind movement and atmospheric conditions.
“Usually the smoke gathers first, then mixes with the morning air. That is why in some places it looks thicker, while in other locations it is not too thick,” she said.
BMKG, she continued, is continuously monitoring visibility conditions and conveying information to relevant stakeholders if there are changes in conditions that could potentially affect public activities or flights.
Fitri urged the public to help prevent land fires by not discarding cigarette butts carelessly and not burning rubbish or land indiscriminately.
“If you see a forest or land fire in your vicinity, the public is expected to play an active role in helping to handle it and report it to the relevant authorities,” she said.