14.10.2026 15:00
In Indonesia, thick smoke caused by forest and land fires painted the sky orange while visibility decreased significantly. Nearly 280,000 cases of respiratory infections were recorded in areas affected by air pollution. Authorities deployed thousands of health personnel and distributed millions of masks. It was reported that the smoke rising from the fires reached as far as neighboring countries.
Dense smoke and haze affecting some parts of Indonesia have negatively impacted daily life. In areas where the sky turned orange, visibility dropped noticeably, and the resulting scene drew attention.
As the visibility of surrounding buildings and roads decreased due to the dense haze, concerns about air quality increased.
MORE THAN 280,000 RESPIRATORY DISEASE CASES
It was reported that more than 280,000 respiratory disease cases were recorded in areas affected by air pollution.
While dense smoke and haze were stated to pose a risk especially for respiratory health, the developments brought the region's air pollution problem back onto the agenda.
THOUSANDS OF HEALTH WORKERS ASSIGNED
According to data shared by Indonesia's Ministry of Health on October 14, 277,075 acute respiratory tract infection cases were recorded as of October 12 in seven provinces affected by forest and land fires.
The Ministry announced that 2,106 health personnel were assigned to the regions and that more than 2.8 million masks were distributed. Officials warned that fine particles in fire smoke could increase coughing, shortness of breath, and asthma complaints.
SMOKE REACHED NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES
Smoke from forest fires continuing in various regions, especially Sumatra and Borneo, spread as far as Malaysia and Singapore. As drought and El Niño conditions make fighting the fires more difficult, it is stated that air pollution may continue to have an impact in the coming period.