January 22, 2026
World
World
TOKYO, Jan 22 — Japan has halted the restart of the world’s largest nuclear power plant just hours after it began, though the reactor remains “stable,” the operator said.
JAKARTA, July 25 — Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) is ramping up efforts to tackle forest and land fires across multiple provinces in Sumatra and Kalimantan, with both active and extinguished hotspots reported.
BNPB spokesperson Abdul Muhari said fires in several areas of South Sumatra — including Musi Rawas, Muara Enim, Ogan Ilir, and Pali regencies — have been successfully put out by joint emergency teams as of Wednesday.
“From January 1 to July 22, local authorities recorded a total of 2,543 hotspots, with around 43.08 hectares of land affected,” he said in a statement today.
In West Sumatra, a fire that broke out on July 12 in Limapuluh Kota remains active due to limited water supply. Firefighters are focusing on preventing its spread to nearby residential areas, especially in Nagari Tarantang.
In North Sumatra’s Padang Lawas, approximately 435 hectares have been affected, with fires still burning in Marenu village. However, a separate blaze in Parsombaan village that started on July 20 has been extinguished.
“In Simalungun Regency, a 60-hectare fire was brought under control by Thursday, while containment efforts are still ongoing in Panai Hilir, Labuhanbatu,” he added.
Abdul also noted that Riau Province remains a key focus area, with 1,144.90 hectares burned so far this year. Firefighting operations continue in the region.
Meanwhile, in West Kalimantan, hotspots dropped from 17 to just three on Thursday following the declaration of an emergency alert in Kubu Raya regency, which helped intensify containment efforts.
Joint teams also managed to extinguish fires in Central Kalimantan’s Palangkaraya city and East Kotawaringin regency, where 201.03 hectares of land were affected. — Bernama
