Riau Province of Indonesia Experiences Longest Smog Disaster

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Smog has dominated most part of Riau for over 3 months with Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) declaring it as the longest ‘smoke’ disaster occurring within the Indonesian region.

Local government now sought for anticipation on potential victims resulting from the disastrous smoke and taking legal measures on the perpetrators who have set the forest on fire.

“Riau currently anticipates any victims resulting from the subjugation of smog and the government is determined to uphold the law against those who have played roles in such criminal undertaking of setting the forest on fire,” Duty Executor of Riau Governor, Asryadjuliandi Rachman informs, Riau, Monday (5/10/2015).

Andi explains how each province within Sumatera and Kalimantan regions have their own issues to focus on especially amidst such smog disaster.

According to him, each province plays their own role with one focused on putting out the fire, the other works on preventing it from ever occurring again and its exacerbation and the rest on the victims of the disaster.

“As for long- term measure in preventing smog from ever occurring again or to contain its deterioration, we have come up with the solution of constructing blocking canals so that it does not expand as it travels by air. It will be very effective and it will hasten our mission in addressing this issue,” he further informs.

Andi also shared how the preventive measures deliberated among provinces involved have already been submitted to Indonesian President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo.

“We have discussed our plans and measures necessitated in trying to resolve the smog issue. Everyone was there, including politicians from the affected provinces,” he concluded. (Akp/Ein)