Malaysia declares state of emergency in Serian over haze from Indonesian fires
On Friday, Malaysian authorities declared a state of emergency in the town of Serian, Sarawak, after the air pollution index reached 521. Smoke from forest and peat fires in Indonesia blanketed large parts of Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines. Tens of thousands of respiratory infections have been recorded in Indonesia, and hundreds of schools have been closed in Malaysia.
Sources
· 6Малайзия ввела режим ЧС в городе Сериан из-за смога, индекс загрязнения достиг 521
1Индонезия борется с лесными пожарами, токсичный смог окутал Суматру и Калимантан
2Токсичный смог от лесных пожаров в Индонезии распространяется по Юго-Восточной Азии
3Пожары в Индонезии довели качество воздуха в Сараваке до опасного уровня
4Индонезия молится о дожде и борется с пожарами на Южной Суматре
5Малайзия объявила ЧП на Борнео из-за смога, индекс загрязнения достиг 521
6Key points
- Malaysia declared a state of emergency in Serian, Sarawak, after the air pollution index reached 521; residents were advised to stay indoors.
- Smoke from forest fires in Indonesia spread to Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines, where millions of people were exposed to pollution more than 15 times the level recommended by the WHO.
- Indonesia's health ministry recorded more than 50,000 respiratory infections linked to the fires between July and August.
- About 3,000 residents of Palembang gathered to pray for rain, while authorities detained 72 people suspected of using fire to clear land.
What happened
On Friday, Malaysian authorities declared a state of emergency in Serian, Sarawak, after the air pollution index reached 521. In Kuching, the state capital, the reading reached 311. The cause was smoke from forest and peat fires in neighboring Indonesia.
Forest fires have been burning for several weeks on the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Kalimantan. Firefighting has been hampered by thick black smoke, which reduced visibility and created dangerous breathing conditions for firefighters.
Why it matters
Indonesia's health ministry recorded more than 50,000 respiratory infections linked to the fires between July and August. Millions of people across large parts of Southeast Asia were exposed to haze, with pollution levels more than 15 times the level recommended by the WHO. The crisis is being exacerbated by a "super" El Niño, which is intensifying dry conditions.
Who's affected
In Sarawak, hundreds of schools have been closed and Independence Day celebrations have been cancelled. In Indonesia, thousands have been hospitalized with respiratory illnesses, and schools have also been closed. On Tuesday, about 3,000 residents of Palembang gathered for Islamic prayers for rain. Authorities detained 72 people suspected of using fire to clear land.
Related original articles
- 3h agoМалайзия ввела режим ЧС в городе Сериан из-за смога, индекс загрязнения достиг 521Baq.kz
- 1d agoТоксичный смог от лесных пожаров в Индонезии распространяется по Юго-Восточной АзииBBC World
- 1d agoИндонезия борется с лесными пожарами, токсичный смог окутал Суматру и КалимантанQazaqstan TV
- 3d 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