In brief
A dense orange plume has blanketed Palangka Raya, the capital of Central Kalimantan, amid a flare‑up of wildfires nearby. Air‑quality monitors report an ISPU index that quadruples the hazardous threshold, placing the city in a health emergency zone. Residents and officials have captured footage of the haze engulfing the skyline, sharing the stark reality on social media. The crisis highlights the growing impact of slash‑and‑burn practices and the urgent need for stronger environmental controls.
Orange Haze Drowning Palangka Raya
A thick orange smog has descended on the Indonesian city of Palangka Raya, the capital of Central Kalimantan, as nearby wildfires flare. Residents have recorded videos of the haze creeping over streets and buildings, quickly spreading across the region.
Officials report that the national environment ministry’s Indeks Sanitasi Udara (ISPU) peaked at 1,200—four times the hazardous threshold of 300—signalling a severe health emergency. The smog is choking not only Indonesia but also Singapore and Malaysia, with air‑quality alerts issued across the region.
Part of the blame lies in the widespread use of slash‑and‑burn agricultural clearing, which releases large amounts of particulate matter. Authorities and environmental groups are calling for stricter enforcement of land‑clearing laws to stem the haze.
