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Fiery red sun glows over Palangka Raya amid forest fires
🇮🇩 Indonesia /Environment & Climate

Fiery red sun glows over Palangka Raya amid forest fires

From CNN Indonesia · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Residents of Palangka Raya observed a striking red sun due to dense haze from forest and land fires.
  • The red appearance is caused by smoke particles scattering sunlight, particularly noticeable when the sun is low in the sky.
  • Authorities warn of health risks associated with the poor air quality, advising mask use and reduced outdoor activity.

The city of Palangka Raya in Central Kalimantan was enveloped in a striking phenomenon as the sun appeared a deep, fiery red on Thursday afternoon. Residents were captivated by the unusual sight, with the sun resembling a low-hanging red orb against a backdrop of hazy, gray skies.

The sun was very red yesterday afternoon. I've never seen it like this before.

— Sri MuliatiA resident of Palangka Raya describing the unusual red sun phenomenon.

This dramatic visual was attributed to the pervasive smoke from ongoing forest and land fires (karhutla) blanketing the city. Sri Muliati, a resident who captured the moment, noted it was the first time she had witnessed such a vivid red sun. The dense haze intensified the surreal appearance, creating a stark contrast that was both visually arresting and deeply concerning.

It's true, it can be influenced by the karhutla haze that is currently happening in the Central Kalimantan region.

— ChandraBMKG Palangka Raya forecaster explaining the cause of the red sun.

According to Chandra, a forecaster at BMKG Palangka Raya, the red hue is a direct result of smoke particles in the atmosphere. These particles affect the sunlight reaching the ground, scattering certain wavelengths and allowing the red light to dominate, especially during sunrise and sunset. The widespread smoke cover across Central Kalimantan confirmed the source of the atmospheric disturbance.

Because if you look at the smoke distribution imagery from yesterday afternoon, it shows that most of Central Kalimantan is already covered by smoke.

— ChandraChandra elaborating on the extent of the smoke cover.

The red sun served as a potent reminder of the severe impact of karhutla, extending beyond environmental damage to directly affect air quality and daily life. Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant, particularly as air quality deteriorates. They advise using masks and limiting outdoor activities when the smoke becomes particularly thick to safeguard public health.

When light passes through an atmospheric layer filled with particles, colors with certain wavelengths are scattered more, causing the sun to appear reddish, especially when its position is low towards the afternoon.

— ChandraChandra explaining the scientific reason for the red appearance of the sun.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CNN Indonesia in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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