Entering its fourth day, the fire at the Jatiwaringin Final Disposal Site (TPA) in Tangerang Regency has not yet been fully extinguished. Thick white smoke continues to blanket the area, causing serious health concerns for nearby residents. To speed up the firefighting process, the National Disaster Management Authority (BNPB) deployed two helicopters again to conduct water bombing operations on several hard-to-reach hotspots.
Conditions on the ground are quite challenging as flammable waste materials and strong winds cause the fire to spread rapidly. Latest reports indicate that around seven hectares of the landfill's total 33 hectares have been scorched by the flames. Ground firefighters continue to struggle to break the fire chain beneath the thick piles of garbage.
Amid extinguishing efforts, response priorities have shifted toward the health of residents exposed to air pollution. The Sukadiri Community Health Center (Puskesmas) has set up an emergency medical service post in Gintung Village. Since its operation, at least 90 residents, mostly elderly people and women, have sought medical attention for complaints of shortness of breath and other health issues.
Medical examinations show that the most dominant complaints are hypertension triggered by exhaustion, as well as symptoms of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTI). In response to this situation, the health center has stationed medical staff twice a day and provided a 24-hour ambulance service. In addition, the Gintung Village Government has taken preventive measures by widely distributing masks to residents while continuing to monitor the situation on the ground.
