Residents and emergency responders in Palangkaraya, the capital of Central Kalimantan province on Indonesian Borneo, experienced a moment of relief this week as intermittent rains helped ease months of toxic haze caused by persistent wildfires. The blazes, which began in August, have severely impacted the region and its neighbors through widespread air pollution.
On Wednesday night, volunteer firefighters expressed their gratitude as rain fell over the city, with some celebrating by dancing and kissing the ground. Lukman El Hakim, a firefighter involved in the response, described the downpour as a much-needed blessing after weeks of battling the haze.
The haze has taken a significant toll on public health, with over 11,000 people in Palangkaraya treated for respiratory infections since the crisis began. The city’s air quality index recently reached 4,000, marking its highest level ever recorded and more than 13 times above Indonesia’s hazardous threshold set by the environment ministry. Authorities and health organizations warn that exposure to such high concentrations of fine particulate matter, notably PM2.5, is associated with increased risks of illness and premature death.
Local resident Muhammad Jihan Alwi spoke of his satisfaction at being able to go for a jog outdoors after months confined indoors due to poor air quality. “I’m grateful to breathe in fresher air than before,” he said, highlighting the relief rain has brought to the community.
Despite this temporary improvement, Indonesia’s meteorological agency, BMKG, cautioned that dry conditions are expected to persist for the time being, raising concerns about the potential for further fires. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) is actively deploying 61 aircraft, including planes and helicopters, to conduct cloud seeding and water bombing operations across six provinces, including Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, and South Sumatra. Recent rains in these areas are partially credited to these efforts.
BMKG official Tri Handoko Seto noted that while air quality remains in the “unhealthy” category, pollution levels have begun to decrease following the recent rainfall. He emphasized the ongoing need for vigilance, citing the possibility of another dry spell before the rainy season fully develops. Authorities hope continued cloud seeding will encourage sufficient rainfall to saturate the peatlands, which are highly susceptible to fire.
The fires have also resulted in fatalities among those fighting the blazes. At least 11 people have died during firefighting efforts, including a 45-year-old forest ranger who was killed by a falling tree in North Toraja, South Sulawesi, on Wednesday.
Law enforcement is intensifying efforts to hold accountable those responsible for starting the wildfires. National police’s chief detective, Asep Safrudin, reported that 245 individuals and 20 corporations have been identified as suspects and may face prosecution, including potential jail terms and fines.