Inp.polri.go.id - Palembang. In a bid to combat the raging forest and land fires in Ogan Komering Ilir (OKI), South Sumatra, the South Sumatra Regional Police deployed an additional 100 personnel to the area, where the smoke from the fires has been blowing towards Palembang City.
"We have deployed additional personnel for the next 10 days; they will be tasked with strengthening the 360 personnel already assigned." Inspector General A Rachmad Wibowo, the Chief of the South Sumatra Regional Police, said on Sunday (01/10/2023) as reported by antaranews.com.
The Chief explained that the personnel will operate under the leadership of the the Commander of the South Sumatra Military, the OKI Sub-regional Police Chief and the Head of OKI Disaster Management Agency (BPBD).
The strategic focus for firefighting operations lies in key areas such as Jungkal, Tulung Selapan, Pampangan, Cengal, and Pedamaran.
The OKI region has become a focal point in the fight against forest fires due to the dire consequences of the fires. The police have received support from the OKI Regency administration, which has provided essential equipment, including 10 portable water pumps and 50 rolls of hoses, and operational supports.
Amid this ongoing crisis, efforts were underway to secure additional support, with plans to engage the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs for assistance in providing essential resources such as field tents, field beds, field kitchens, medicines, drinking water, and other necessities.
(mg/inp/pr/nm)