Smoke from Kalimantan fires reaches Jakarta skies

Smoke from forest and land fires in Kalimantan has been detected above Jakarta, according to the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG). Satellite imagery from Himawari-9 captured on Friday showed the smoke spreading across parts of Banten, Jakarta, and West Java at an altitude of around 2 to 3 kilometers above the ground.

BMKG spokesperson Alpon Sepriando explained that differing wind patterns across atmospheric layers could be carrying the smoke toward Java. He noted that while lower atmospheric winds were blowing from the east and southeast toward the west and northwest, middle and upper atmospheric winds were moving from the northeast toward the southwest.

This could allow the smoke to reach Jakarta without descending to ground level, potentially forming a thin layer if wind speeds weaken. However, the satellite detection does not confirm whether the smoke has increased pollution at ground level or its impact on Jakarta's air quality.