TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has detected fire spots in Riau, South Sumatra and Central Kalimantan. “Regions with forests and vast areas must also be monitored for potential forest fires,” BNPB chairman Willem Rampangilei said yesterday in Depok.

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) informed that Indonesia will be entering the dry season in June.

The country is currently experiencing a shift from rainy to dry season. “Some regions have declared a state of emergency over forest and land fire,” he said.

The government earmarks Rp4 trillion annually to mitigate disasters. The budget is used to preserve wells in anticipation of possible water shortages.

Indonesia sees Rp30 trillion in losses annually due to disasters. Hydrometeorology disasters make up 92 percent of disasters in Indonesia. Meanwhile, landslides have killed more people than any other disasters.

IMAM HAMDI