RRI.CO.ID, Mataram - Lombok’s air gateway has tightened vigilance after a haze event reduced visibility at Zainuddin Abdul Madjid International Airport (ZAM) to about one kilometer in the early hours. The drop in visibility, caused by an accumulation of dry particles at the peak of the dry season, has begun to test navigation systems and morning flight schedules across West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).

Head of the Observation, Data and Information working group at ZAM Meteorological Station, Ari Wibianto, said the hazy conditions were triggered by the onset of the dry season. Low atmospheric humidity allows dust and dry particles to lift and remain suspended in the air for extended periods.

“With no rain, solid particles stay aloft for a long time. When particle concentrations become dense, haze forms and physically reduces visibility,” he said in Mataram, NTB, on Monday, 6 July 2026.

Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysic Agency (BMKG) observations over recent days recorded visibility at Lombok Airport falling to around one kilometer during the pre-dawn hours. Conditions gradually improved as sunlight intensified later in the morning.

BMKG urged the public to be alert to potential visibility drops caused by haze, noting that reduced sight distances can disrupt transportation and raise the risk of traffic accidents.

Ari said the recent decline in visibility is closely linked to the dry season and a high particulate load in the air. “We urge the public to be vigilant against forest, land and residential fires by avoiding indiscriminate burning of waste or leaving fire sources unsupervised,” he said, as quoted by Antara.

BMKG estimates the probability of rain across West Nusa Tenggara at below 10 percent in early July 2026 as the region enters the peak of the dry season. The very low rainfall chance is also influenced by a strengthening El Niño, currently at a moderate category with an index of +1.61, which makes the dry season drier.

BMKG has declared four areas on meteorological drought alert, which are Central Lombok Regency (Praya Barat Subdistrict); East Lombok Regency (Jerowaru, Pringgabaya, Sambelia Subdistricts); Sumbawa Regency (Moyo Utara, Utan Subdistricts); and Bima Regency (Palibelo and Tambora Subdistricts). ***