REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PALEMBANG -- Two Russian Beriev Be-200 amphibious water-bombing aircraft will be deployed to put out the hotspots in Air Sugihan, Ogan Ilir, South Sumatra, an official stated.

Deputy for Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of the National Disaster Management Agency Harmensyah remarked here on Wednesday that currently, South Sumatra has 636 hotspots, of which Ogan Komering Ilir had the highest reported number at 452.

"Right now, the fire is raging in Central Bagan District, Air Sugihan. We hope these two aircraft would put out the forest fires. Judging from their capabilities, I am optimistic as they can transport water up to 8 times a day," Harmensyah remarked.

Two leased Beriev Be-200 amphibious Russian aircraft arrived in Palembang on Wednesday to extinguish forest and land fires in South Sumatra.

The Russian aircraft landed at the Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin airport's cargo terminal along with 20 personnel from Russia.

Palembang Air base Commander (Danlanud) Lieutenant Colonel Pilot MRY Fahlefie said the aircraft landed in Palembang to coordinate on the preparations for water retrieval operation in the waterway and are on standby at the airport in Pangkal Pinang, Bangka.

"Pangkal Pinang airbase was chosen to avoid the haze as the aircraft would hopefully operate in the morning hours, 7-8 times a day, carrying 12 thousand liters of water," Fahlefie remarked.

Currently, the aerial operations to tackle the forest fires in South Sumatra are being conducted by deploying 11 helicopters and aircraft comprising 10 from Indonesia and one from Singapore for water bombing and cloud seeding operations.

To maximize the impact of water bombing, the Indonesian government has leased the two Russian aircraft to put out land and forest fires in South Sumatra and will operate until October 30, 2015.

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