‘Breathing toxin every day’: Indonesians choked by haze feel helpless as smoke drifts into Malaysia and wider SE Asia

PONTIANAK, Sept 16 — Residents of Indonesia's West Kalimantan province are feeling the effects of acrid haze originating from wildfires on the island, with many struggling to breathe and fearing long-term health impacts. The situation has worsened since the start of the year, with the air quality index in Pontianak exceeding 1,100, nearly four times the hazardous limit.

Anggita Putri, a local resident, has been working despite the harsh conditions, noting that her eyes sting and head hurts, while her chest feels tight and she experiences dizziness. Her 28-year-old age and three-year-old son have not been spared either, as the smoky air has caused her to worry about their well-being. Djunita Permata Indah, another resident, is concerned for her two young children, fearing the health risks the smoky air poses to them.

Despite the situation, many parents are forced to send their children to daycare for the day, exposing them to the smoke. The haze has also disrupted local livelihoods, with snack seller Desia having to stop working due to the constant exposure to the smoke and her children not attending school for over a month. Authorities have intensified efforts to control the haze, including water bombing and cloud seeding, but brief rainfall has only intensified the smoke.

The Indonesian government estimates that over 202,000 hectares of land burned across the country from January to July, with the Nusantara Atlas project estimating the total area affected, including August, to be nearly 896,000 hectares.