Jakarta, ThedailyID — Wildfire smoke blanketed Lake Toba in North Sumatra on Wednesday, October 14, reducing visibility across one of Indonesia’s leading tourist destinations.
Christy, a forecaster at the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Silangit station, said the smoke originated from hotspots in southern Sumatra. Winds blowing from the east to southeast then carried the smoke toward the Lake Toba area.
On Tuesday, October 13, monitoring recorded 2,253 hotspots across southern Sumatra. Meanwhile, Jambi reported 187 hotspots, the Bangka Belitung Islands recorded 134, and Lampung had 132.
As a result, visibility around Lake Toba fell to between one and three kilometers on Wednesday. The haze could disrupt local activities and tourist travel around the lake.
The wildfire smoke also affected air quality in the Lake Toba area. According to monitoring by the North Sumatra Climatology Station, PM2.5 pollution remained at a moderate level from midnight until 5 p.m. on Tuesday.
However, conditions worsened that evening. Air quality entered the unhealthy category between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., before reaching the very unhealthy category from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m.
PM2.5 refers to fine particles small enough to travel deep into the respiratory system. Exposure can cause breathing problems, particularly among children, older adults, and people with lung or heart conditions.
In response, BMKG advised residents around Lake Toba to reduce outdoor activities and wear masks. People should also limit strenuous outdoor exercise while smoke remains in the area.
Tourists planning to visit Lake Toba should consider air quality and weather conditions before undertaking outdoor activities. Meanwhile, drivers should remain cautious because reduced visibility can make travel more difficult.
Residents and visitors can monitor weather, visibility, and air quality updates through BMKG’s official channels. Anyone experiencing shortness of breath, worsening coughs, or respiratory irritation should reduce smoke exposure and seek medical attention if necessary.
