Dumai, Riau(ANTARA News) - Thick smog has been covering Dumai in Riau province, caused by newly appearing hotspots. The weather agency had also detected at least 36 new hot spots in Sumatra Island causing heavy smog. According to the Meteorology, Geophysic and Climatology Agency (BMKG) Riau is prone to forest fires and smoke along with low rain intensity.

A local BMKG analyst Yudhistira Mawaddah said that the number of hot spots in South Sumatra had reached 11 points, eight in Jambi, two in North Sumatra, one each in Lampung and Aceh.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said 18 monitoring sattelites operated by the United States indicated there are 13 new hotspots in Riau.

The new Riau hotspots covered seven districts in Indragiri Hilir, Indragiri Hulu, Kampar, Siak and Rokan Hulu.

"Meanwhile three hotspots had been recorded in Palawan district and three more in Rokan Hilir district with a fairly rapid growth," said Yudhishthira.

The smog was an indication of the remaining of forests and land fires in some areas of the city or districts of Riau province.

The heavy smog starts at around 4.30 am local time a local resident who said is disturbed by the heavy smog.

"The heavy smog was visible once I got out of my home and when going to a nearby mosque for Morning Prayer at 4.30 am," he said.

Streets and roads in Dumai are also reported to be covered by the smog. (SYS/A050/B003)

Editor: Suryanto
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