Millions suffer respiratory illnesses as haze spreads nationwide
More than 3 million people in 37 cities and regencies nationwide have been directly exposed to smoke from wildfires, according to the Health Ministry, with affected regions noting a significant jump in respiratory cases since late July.
Indonesia is grappling with a national haze crisis that has left over three million people directly exposed to smoke from wildfires, according to the Health Ministry. The thick haze, originating from spreading wildfires, has blanketed much of the country, leading to a sharp rise in respiratory illnesses, the disruption of daily life, and the closure of schools due to deteriorating air quality.
In Riau province, the haze has reduced visibility to as low as 500 meters, with fine particles known as PM2.5 reaching alarming levels of 235.7 micrograms per cubic meter. This is more than 15 times the World Health Organization's recommended safe limit of 15 micrograms for a 24-hour period. The fine particles are so small they can penetrate deep into the lungs, posing significant health risks, especially with prolonged exposure.
In Pekanbaru, the provincial capital, residents like Styaningrum have noticed the haze becoming thicker and more pungent over recent days. She described how the strong smoke smell made it difficult to breathe and caused dizziness during her morning errands. Styaningrum also noted that the dust particles floating in the air left a residue on her home's terrace and irritated her eyes, forcing her to wear protective gear while navigating her neighborhood. Many are now avoiding outdoor activities and are only venturing outside when absolutely necessary.
Written by urgent.news from The Jakarta Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
