Jakarta, ThedailyID — Three Japanese Chinook helicopters have arrived in West Kalimantan to help fight forest and land fires. However, poor visibility has prevented them from starting operations.
Acting Head of BNPB’s Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center Berton SP Panjaitan said visibility in the region had fallen below one kilometer.
“We can say that the Japanese helicopter assistance has arrived in West Kalimantan, but it cannot yet operate because visibility is very low,” Berton said on Tuesday, September 15.
The low visibility affects several areas. They include Mempawah, Pontianak, Melawi, Sambas, Ketapang, Kubu Raya, Sintang, Kapuas Hulu and Singkawang.
Japanese crews will wait until conditions improve before conducting aerial operations. They require visibility of at least 3,500 to 5,000 meters.
“The Japanese side wants to operate when visibility reaches 3,500 to 5,000 meters,” Berton said.
Japan sent the helicopters after Indonesia requested assistance to tackle the fires. The Japanese Ministry of Defense announced the deployment on August 28.
The assistance consists of three JGSDF CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters. Japan transported them aboard the JS Kunisaki.
The three helicopters arrived in Mempawah on Thursday, September 10, according to Antara. They are expected to support aerial firefighting and deliver supplies to areas that are difficult to reach by land.
For now, the thick haze remains the main obstacle to their deployment. BNPB will wait for visibility to improve before the helicopters begin their mission.
