Smog from forest fires in Indonesia blankets Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines
Toxic smog from forest fires in Indonesia spread to Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines. Millions of people were exposed to pollution, and Indonesia recorded more than 50,000 fire-related respiratory infections in July–August.
Sources
· 4Токсичный смог от лесных пожаров в Индонезии распространяется по Юго-Восточной Азии
1Пожары в Индонезии довели качество воздуха в Сараваке до опасного уровня
2Индонезия молится о дожде и борется с пожарами на Южной Суматре
3Лесные пожары в Индонезии привели к закрытию школ и массовой эвакуации в пяти провинциях
4Key points
- Toxic smog from forest fires in Indonesia spread to Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines, with pollution exceeding WHO guidelines by more than 15 times.
- Indonesia's Ministry of Health recorded more than 50,000 cases of respiratory infections linked to the fires from July to August.
- In Malaysia, the number of asthma and conjunctivitis cases rose sharply in the week of 23–29 August; hundreds of schools in Sarawak were closed and Independence Day celebrations were cancelled.
- Around 3,000 residents of Palembang gathered for a prayer for rain, and authorities detained 72 people suspected of clearing land by fire.
- Earlier, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto dispatched dozens of helicopters, planes, water pumps and thousands of personnel to fight fires on five islands.
What happened
Toxic smog from forest fires in Indonesia spread to Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines. Smoke from fires in Kalimantan and Sumatra settled over Sarawak for most of August and reached Peninsular Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore. In South Sumatra, fires engulfed forests and peatlands, and around 3,000 residents of Palembang gathered for an Islamic prayer for rain. Authorities detained 72 people suspected of using fire to clear land.
Why it matters
Millions of people across vast areas of Southeast Asia were exposed to the smog. Air pollution is more than 15 times the WHO-recommended level. Indonesia's Ministry of Health recorded more than 50,000 cases of respiratory infections linked to the fires between July and August. The crisis is exacerbated by a 'super' El Niño that is intensifying dry conditions.
What changed
President Prabowo Subianto dispatched dozens of helicopters, planes, water pumps and thousands of personnel to fight fires on Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Java and Papua. The smog also reached the Philippines, and pollution is more than 15 times the WHO level.
Related original articles
- 3h agoТоксичный смог от лесных пожаров в Индонезии распространяется по Юго-Восточной АзииBBC World
- 2d agoПожары в Индонезии довели качество воздуха в Сараваке до опасного уровняAl Jazeera English
- Aug 25Индонезия молится о дожде и борется с пожарами на Южной СуматреAl Jazeera English