REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PEKANBARU -- Haze from wildfires have enveloped Pekanbaru city since Tuesday, affecting routine activities of local inhabitants.
The Air Pollution Standard Index (ISPU) has shown that the air quality in six regions in Riau province, including Pekanbaru, has deteriorated, Head of the Ecoregion Development Control Center Amral Fery said here on Wednesday.
In Rumbai area in Pekanbaru, the ISPU reached 104, which indicates unhealthy air quality.
"If this condition continues for the next two to three days, authorities must take measures. For instance, they should evacuate inhabitants prone to diseases caused by haze," Fery pointed out.
According to the Pekanbaru Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Station, the Terra and Aqua satellites detected 173 hotspots of forest and plantation fires across Sumatra Island.
Of the 173 hotspots, 60 were found in Riau province, including 11 in Pelalawan district.
Imelda Yusra, a 24-year-old university student, stated that she suffered from eye irritation and respiratory problems due to haze if she stayed outdoors for too long.
In addition, in some roads, visibility has been reduced to around 500 meters.
Pekanbaru is currently experiencing a dry spell, with temperatures soaring to 35 degrees Celsius.
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