Two Districts in South Sumatra Already on Karhutla Alert Status

Two districts in South Sumatra (Sumsel) have declared a state of alert for forest and land fires (karhutla). Meanwhile, the establishment of a similar status at the provincial level is currently in process. Head of the South Sumatra BPBD Executive Agency, M Iqbal Alisyahbana, stated that the areas which have already declared karhutla alert status are Ogan Komering Ilir Regency (OKI) and Ogan Ilir Regency. “There are already two areas that have declared karhutla alert status, OKI and Ogan Ilir. For the provincial level, we have already submitted the request and hopefully it will be established in the near future,” said Iqbal on Tuesday (21/4), as quoted from detikSumbagsel. The province of South Sumatra is known to have 17 regencies/cities, consisting of 13 regencies and 4 cities. Regarding karhutla, Iqbal explained that South Sumatra province has been proposed for alert status. He said that the submission for the alert status declaration at the provincial level is a precautionary step to address the potential disaster that often occurs during the dry season. “This alert status will be established from the signing of the Governor’s Decree until 30 November. If the disaster potential still exists, we will extend it later,” he said. His side hopes that the provincial karhutla alert status for Sumsel can be established at least before the end of this month. “Hopefully before the alert roll call on 29 April, we will have established the alert status,” he added. According to him, with the establishment of the alert status, cross-agency coordination in efforts to prevent and handle karhutla can be carried out more optimally. In addition, the South Sumatra BPBD is also continuously carrying out various preparedness measures, from monitoring vulnerable areas, socialisation to the community, to preparing personnel and equipment at several points. He added that his side is also coordinating with regency/city governments as well as other related agencies to ensure readiness to face potential karhutla in the coming period. “Based on information from BMKG, the dry season will occur starting in May. Meanwhile, the peak of the dry season will occur throughout July-September,” he said.