In brief
A massive orange haze has rolled over Palangka Raya, the capital of Central Kalimantan, shaking the city into a state‑of‑alarm air quality index of 1,200. The haze, originating from ongoing wildfires and the “slash‑and‑burn” method used to clear peatlands, has pushed the ISPU level to four times the hazardous threshold. Indigenous residents and on‑camera witnesses have shared videos showing the sky turning a fiery glow as the fine particulate layer drifts over rooftops. The thick smog isn’t just a local issue – millions across Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysian states are breathing polluted air with health risks looming. Scientists warn that without stricter fire‑control measures, the haze will become a routine seasonal threat that could spike globally again next year.
A thick orange smog has rolled over the Indonesian city of Palangka Raya, the capital of Central Kalimantan, leaving residents rooted to their homes as the sky turns a fiery colour.
The smog, a product of ongoing wildfires and the “slash‑and‑burn” method used to clear peatland, has driven the National Environment Ministry’s ISPU index to a staggering 1,200 – four times higher than the hazardous threshold of 300. Authorities say the haze is choking millions not just in Indonesia but across Singapore and Malaysia, with health warnings and emergency alerts turning streets into a cautious, jet‑lag‑heavy landscape.
Indonesian residents shared videos on social media that show the high‑altitude haze washing over rooftops, swallowing bright sunlight and casting a perpetual orange glow over the city. As the fine particulate matter clouds the air, even outdoor workers are forced to wear masks and some schools have shifted to remote learning.
Environmental scientists argue that the haze will become a seasonal battle unless stricter fire‑control measures are enforced. Efforts are already underway, but the region faces a dual challenge of containing the fires while preventing the next season’s ash and smoke from turning the skies orange again.
