Despite the hazy conditions surrounding the country, international cycling competition Tour de Singkarak was carried out as Stage 1 begins on Sunday.
Yayan Surya, Head of Minangkabau Airport Meteorology, Geophysics and Climatology Agency (BMKG), said that a number of regions in West Sumatra are still affected by the smog.
“The wind comes from South Sumatra. Because the win blows from the south to the southeast, the smog passes here (West Sumatra).”
“We are expecting light intensity of rain to fall, but even that will not have too much effect. The haze will only go away if there is a heavy rain fall in Jambi and South Sumatra,” he told Tempo.co.
Race director Sondi Sampurno also voiced out his concern, stating that the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is the one who can decide the continuity of the competition.
“If there is a stage cancelled, there are no replacements. We will then proceed to the next stage.”
Tour de Singkarak, scheduled from October 3 to 11, will feature nine stages through 18 regencies in West Sumatra, with 24 teams from 36 countries participating.
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