KOTAWARINGIN TIMUR (ISL News) - The air quality in East Kotawaringin Regency, particularly Sampit City, is increasingly worrying due to the haze from forest and land fires (Karhutla). Responding to this escalation, PT Pelindo Terminal Petikemas, through its Bagendang Container Terminal (TPK), took tactical action by directly distributing hundreds of protective masks to port operational workers, service users, and the surrounding community on Sunday, August 9, 2026.
According to monitoring by the East Kotawaringin Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the accumulation of hotspots has reached 204 in just the past 24 hours. The impact is significant: the Air Quality Index (AQI) for PM2.5 pollutants in Sampit is now in the "Unhealthy" category, and morning visibility has plummeted to 300-400 meters.
Facing this emergency situation, Akhmad Fajar, Head of the TPK Bagendang Bumiharjo Terminal, instructed his staff to immediately go to the field.
"The weather conditions over the past few days demand that we act quickly. The safety and health of workers and the community within the port's first ring cannot be delayed. The distribution of these masks is the first protective measure we are immediately implementing to reduce the risk of acute respiratory infections (ARI)," Fajar emphasized.
Although port operations continue to maintain the logistics chain, Akhmad emphasized that Occupational Safety and Health (K3) procedures are now much stricter. All personnel in open areas are required to wear protective masks at all times.
On the other hand, the threat of haze also impacts the safety of navigation in waters. Referring to the Notice to Mariners issued by the Sampit Class III Harbormaster and Port Authority Office (KSOP), Pelindo also instructed all captains and partners using maritime services to increase maximum vigilance when navigating the Mentaya, Katingan, and Sebangau River Channels.
"Port operations and maritime safety must go hand in hand with human health. The haze may limit visibility, but our concern and vigilance must remain steadfast. We will continue to monitor the situation and coordinate with the authorities to ensure everything is under control," Fajar concluded.
(ISL News Editorial Team/ Terminal Head TPK Bagendang Bumiharjo).
