Natuna Regency Downgrades Disaster Status from Emergency Response to Emergency Alert

Natuna (ANTARA) - The Natuna Regency Government (Pemkab Natuna), Riau Islands Province, has downgraded the status of the extreme weather, drought, and forest and land fire (karhutla) disaster from emergency response to emergency alert. The Acting Head of the Natuna Regency Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Raja Darmika, confirmed from Bintan on Friday that previously, through Natuna Regent’s Decree Number 147 of 2026, the emergency response status was set from 26 March to 1 April 2026. The declaration of emergency response status was made after considering field conditions, where extreme weather disasters, drought, and karhutla had occurred and had the potential to increase and disrupt community activities. However, after evaluation with the Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda), during the ongoing period, the status was downgraded to emergency alert. Although the status has been downgraded, handling operations continue, including extinguishing and aerial patrols using the water bomb method with helicopters as well as weather modification operations using aircraft from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). She added that air operation assistance from BNPB has been provided for several days, after Pemkab Natuna submitted a request due to limited facilities and infrastructure in the area to reach fire points located far inside forests and lands.