REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PEKANBARU -- Riau Province has sought assistance of the National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB) to provide a helicopter to conduct water-bombing operations. The province also has applied weather modification technology to prevent forest and land fires.

"I will seek assistance of the head of BNPB for providing a 'water bombing' helicopter, patrol helicopter, and weather modification technology," Head of Riau's Regional Disaster Management Agency Edwar Sanger stated here on Monday after the emergency status for land and forest fires was declared for Riau.

Riau needs significant support to strengthen the handling of helicopters and aircraft for implementing weather modification technology for artificial rain owing to an increase in cases of land fires this year. He noted that the local government was grateful that the private sector has responded promptly this year by deploying helicopters.

Sanger further said two companies engaged in the forestry sector that had provided helicopters were the Asia Pulp & Paper of Sinarmas, with a Superpuma helicopter, and PT Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper.

"I express my gratitude to the companies that have been proactive in solving this disaster," he remarked.

Also read: Five hotspots detected in Riau

Starting from Feb 19 until May 31 in 2018, Riau has declared a standby emergency status for forest and land fires. Riau's government has taken this decision due to the significant increase and expansion of hotspots early this year.

The extent of forest fires was estimated to reach 549 hectare (ha), with 59 hotspots. The largest areas to be affected by forest fires were 211.5 ha in Meranti Islands District and 121.5 ha in Indragiri Hulu.

The hotspots increased by up to 90 percent, and the affected area rose by 25 percent.

Riau's local governments have decided an emergency standby status for the districts of Indragiri Hilir, Bengkalis, and Pelalawan. Moreover, the local governments have decided to declare a similar status for Meranti Islands District, Indragiri Hulu District, and Kota Dumai.

Based on the Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency of Pekanbaru, Riau is expected to receive very low rainfall of below 150 millimeters, so the dry season will set in between February and March.

Rainy season in Riau is forecast to last from the end of March to April, though rainfall is expected to be lower than last year. The drought will again be experienced from May to September.

The dry season in 2018 is forecast to be more intense based on several factors, including the influence of monsoon winds and the position of sun on the equator.

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