ID :
82305
Tue, 09/29/2009 - 17:45
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/82305
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THICK HAZE AGAIN COVERING KUALA KAPUAS CITY
Kuala Kapuas, Central Kalimantan, Sept 29 (ANTARA) - Kuala Kapuas city in Kapuas district, Central Kalimantan, was on Tuesday again enveloped by thick haze.
The haze started to fill the air on Tuesday morning and brought a foul odor suggesting it came from bush fires in the interior of Kapuas district.
Local residents continued to go about their normal activities outside their homes although visibility was reduced to only 50 meters. Many people also did not wear masks as recommended by health authorities.
The haze that often hangs over Kuala Kapuas city from time to time differs in density. Sometimes it is thin and easily blown away by the wind or washed away by rain, other times it is thick as on Tuesday.
Many residents complain about sore eyes, headache, asphyxia and acute upper respiratory infections caused by the haze.
"My child still has a cough, although it has finished the medicine prescribed by the doctor," Harto, a local resident, said.
Mardhinata D Bulit, an officer at the Kapuas District Environmantal Center's Early Dissaster Management System, said according to data collected through the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) satellite, there were 254 hot spots in Kapuas district in September 2009.
In August 2009, the number of hot spots had more than doubled to 109 from 48 in July 2009.
"We predict that in October 2009 the number of hot spots will continue to go up," he said adding that the increase would be caused by fires made on purpose, or otherwise. ***2***
The haze started to fill the air on Tuesday morning and brought a foul odor suggesting it came from bush fires in the interior of Kapuas district.
Local residents continued to go about their normal activities outside their homes although visibility was reduced to only 50 meters. Many people also did not wear masks as recommended by health authorities.
The haze that often hangs over Kuala Kapuas city from time to time differs in density. Sometimes it is thin and easily blown away by the wind or washed away by rain, other times it is thick as on Tuesday.
Many residents complain about sore eyes, headache, asphyxia and acute upper respiratory infections caused by the haze.
"My child still has a cough, although it has finished the medicine prescribed by the doctor," Harto, a local resident, said.
Mardhinata D Bulit, an officer at the Kapuas District Environmantal Center's Early Dissaster Management System, said according to data collected through the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) satellite, there were 254 hot spots in Kapuas district in September 2009.
In August 2009, the number of hot spots had more than doubled to 109 from 48 in July 2009.
"We predict that in October 2009 the number of hot spots will continue to go up," he said adding that the increase would be caused by fires made on purpose, or otherwise. ***2***
