DistantNews
Support us
Pekanbaru Choked by Haze: Air Quality Declared Hazardous Amid Widespread Fires
🇮🇩 Indonesia /Environment & Climate

Pekanbaru Choked by Haze: Air Quality Declared Hazardous Amid Widespread Fires

From CNN Indonesia · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Pekanbaru, Riau province, is experiencing hazardous air quality due to thick haze, with visibility reduced to 2 kilometers.
  • Air quality reached dangerous levels, with PM2.5 concentrations peaking at 508.8 micrograms per cubic meter early Tuesday.
  • Over 2,193 hotspots were detected across Sumatra, with the majority in South Sumatra and Riau, indicating widespread land and forest fires.

Pekanbaru, the capital of Riau province, is shrouded in a dangerous haze, significantly impacting air quality and visibility. The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reported that visibility in the city has dropped to approximately 2 kilometers.

Air quality in Pekanbaru has reached hazardous levels, particularly concerning PM2.5 concentrations. Early Tuesday morning, levels soared to a critical 508.8 micrograms per cubic meter, posing a severe risk to public health. This alarming figure underscores the intensity of the ongoing air pollution crisis.

The haze is attributed to widespread land and forest fires across Sumatra. On Monday, BMKG detected a staggering 2,193 hotspots throughout the island. South Sumatra recorded the highest number with 1,207 hotspots, followed by Riau with 393. These fires are particularly concentrated in Riau's Pelalawan and Indragiri Hilir districts, with significant land areas affected.

visibility in Pekanbaru is about 2 kilometers with air quality dangerous to health.

— Ranti KurniatiA forecaster at the BMKG Pekanbaru Station explaining the current air conditions.
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.

More Stories

From Our Blog