After three rainless months, Kalimantan villages face low rivers, unsafe water, peat fires and toxic haze. El Niño drought is acting on wetlands drained for decades, while the government promises prevention, restoration and stronger enforcement.
At least 895,657 hectares have burned since January, while respiratory cases in affected provinces exceeded 113,000 by September 9. El Niño worsens drought, but human ignition, drained peatlands and forest degradation explain the crisis.
Palangkaraya recorded an AQI of 780 and Pontianak 593 in point-in-time IQAir readings on August 31. More than five million people were exposed to haze across Borneo and Sumatra as Indonesia strengthens firefighting, water management and restoration with Japanese support.