Toxic wildfire haze spreads across South East Asia as ‘super’ El Niño intensifies
A blanket of toxic haze is enveloping parts of Indonesia and spreading into Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines, as weeks-long wildfires continue to burn.
A toxic haze, caused by weeks-long wildfires in South East Asia, is enveloping several countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines. Millions of people have been exposed to the smog, with pollution levels in some areas exceeding 15 times the World Health Organization's recommended threshold. The intense wildfires, exacerbated by a so-called Super El Niño, have been burning across Sumatra and Indonesian Borneo since mid-July.
Indonesia's Health Ministry recorded over 50,000 respiratory infection cases from July to August, with more than 12,000 of them affecting children under five. Residents have reported various symptoms, such as itchy eyes, nose, and throat, as well as headaches and respiratory issues. The fires are primarily driven by human activity, such as logging, plantation, and large-scale development projects, which have led to decades of land-use change.
Peatlands, which are substantial carbon reservoirs, are particularly vulnerable to burning under abnormal conditions, releasing large amounts of carbon into the atmosphere. Indonesia's forestry minister warns that the peak of the El Niño is in September, making this year's wildfire season the most critical yet.
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