In brief
A thick orange smog has settled over Palangka Raya, the capital of Central Kalimantan, choking residents with fumes that have pushed ISPU levels to 1,200—a quadruple–hazardous reading. Video footage shows the haze billowing across the city, just weeks after massive fires erupted in the region. The haze is a stark reminder of the deadly toll of slash‑and‑burn agricultural practices, responsible for severe air quality impacts across Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia. Global authorities are urging tighter controls on deforestation and more robust emergency responses.
A thick orange smog has descended over the city of Palangka Raya, the capital of Central Kalimantan. Video footage shows the haze washing over the skyline as it spreads across the region.
The National Environment Ministry's Integrated Environmental Information System reported an ISPU index of 1,200—four times the hazardous threshold of 300—reflecting the extreme air quality crisis.
The haze is linked to ongoing slash‑and‑burn fires that continue to blaze in Kalimantan, exacerbating the smog that threatens millions in Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia.
Authorities and environmental groups are calling for stricter enforcement of deforestation rules and stronger emergency response measures.
