'Praise be to God': Rain brings relief to haze-hit Indonesian city

Residents and firefighters in Palangkaraya, Indonesia, celebrated as rain finally arrived, lifting the toxic haze that had plagued the city for months. Intermittent showers brought welcome relief, with exhausted volunteer firefighters dancing and thanking God for the much-needed rainfall. Lukman El Hakim, a firefighter, expressed his joy, stating, "Praise be to God that there was finally rain."

The city's air quality index peaked at 4,000, surpassing hazardous levels by a margin of 13 times the environmental threshold. Muhammad Jihan Alwi, a resident, took advantage of the respite to jog outdoors for the first time in months, grateful for the improved air quality. However, BMKG climatology agency warned that dry weather would persist, potentially leading to additional wildfires.

The disaster agency has deployed 61 planes and helicopters for cloud seeding and water bombing in six Indonesian provinces to combat the ongoing crisis. As the rain continued, PM2.5 concentrations in Palangkaraya began to decline, though the air quality remained unhealthy. Authorities have emphasized the need for vigilance, as another dry spell could occur before the rainy season's peak.

Over 11,000 people have been treated for respiratory infections during the crisis, with at least 11 losing their lives fighting the wildfires. The fires have consumed over 1.9 million hectares and have affected neighboring countries including Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and East Timor, impacting Indonesia's diplomatic relations.

The fires are believed to be primarily caused by slash-and-burn land-clearing practices by corporations involved in timber, palm oil, and mining industries.