Saturday, November 21, 2015

Rain in Indonesia Dampens Forest Fires That Spread Toxic Haze



http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/29/world/asia/indonesia-forest-fire-toxic-haze.html?ref=topics
Indonesia has deployed 2,000 army soldiers and 500 police officers to Sumatra and Kalimantan to help local fire crews battle the blazes. The government is also using airplanes and helicopters to drop water and fire retardants.
President Joko Widodo of Indonesia cut short by one day an official visit to the United States this week so he could return home to tour affected areas. He was scheduled to visit South Sumatra Province on Thursday.
Firefighting and commercial aircraft were able to land thanks to better visibility on Wednesday morning in Palangkaraya, the capital of Central Kalimantan Province, and Palembang, the capital of South Sumatra, where flights had been canceled for days, Mr. Luhut said.
The Indonesian government has set up shelters containing air purifiers for families with infants who want to evacuate their homes for health reasons.
Mr. Luhut said that less than 100 people took up the offer in Sumatra and that on Wednesday there were no new arrivals at shelters there or in Kalimantan.

No comments:

Post a Comment