Riau

Weather updates are drawing attention in Indonesia's Riau Islands, with forecasts predicting light rain across Batam, Bintan and Natuna. Local outlets report residents are checking conditions ahead of daily activities, as showers are expected to affect travel and outdoor plans across the Kepri region, with similar outlooks being monitored for surrounding areas.

Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), through its Pekanbaru station in Riau province, has detected a sharp rise of 3,663 hotspots across Sumatra. The spike points to widespread land and forest fires on the island, a recurring problem during dry seasons that drives hazardous haze across Riau and neighbouring regions. Authorities are monitoring the affected areas as residents and officials voice concern over deteriorating air quality.