Indonesians share footage of orange haze blanketing towns

A thick, dystopian orange smog has descended on the Indonesian city of Palangka Raya, capturing global attention as desperate residents share alarming footage online. The video captures the dense haze washing over the Kalimantan region, situated not far from where unyielding wildfires continue to burn through forests and peatlands. Locals describe an atmosphere where visibility has plummeted and residents feel they have nowhere to escape the pervasive, smoke-filled environment.

The environmental crisis has reached unprecedented emergency levels in the region. According to official data released by the national environment ministry, the ISPU air pollution index soared past 1,200. This staggering figure is four times higher than the official hazardous classification threshold of 300, signalling a severe threat to public health. Millions of people across Indonesia, as well as neighbouring Singapore and Malaysia, are currently choking on the toxic smog that has drifted across international borders.

Authorities have pointed to several compounding factors driving the disaster, highlighting agricultural clearing methods as a primary catalyst. The traditional and illegal practice of slash-and-burn land clearing has heavily contributed to the intensity of the current wildfire season. As flames rip through dry vegetation and carbon-rich peatlands, they release massive clouds of particulate matter into the atmosphere, turning daylight into an eerie, suffocating twilight.

The human and ecological toll of the disaster is profound. Wildlife rescue operations have scrambled to save vulnerable species, including endangered Borneo orangutans displaced by the fires. Meanwhile, daily life in affected urban centers has ground to a near standstill. Schools, businesses, and outdoor activities face severe disruptions as governments issue urgent health warnings, advising citizens to remain indoors and wear high-grade protective masks.

Experts warn that without significant intervention and sustained rainfall, the crisis could persist, threatening regional health and economic stability. Governments in the region continue to coordinate emergency response efforts, but putting out deep-seated peat fires remains an immense technical challenge. As the orange haze continues to blanket towns, the situation underscores the urgent need for long-term agricultural reform and climate resilience strategies across Southeast Asia.