Palangkaraya Health School Crippled as Smog AQI Exceeds 400 Amid Severe Crisis

Palangkaraya, the capital of Indonesia’s Central Kalimantan province, has once again been engulfed in severe haze, severely disrupting daily life, school operations, and medical services. According to a report by the Central News Agency (CNA) on the 24th, the primary source of the haze is the ongoing burning of forests and peatlands in the province and surrounding areas. As the fires continue to spread, the Air Quality Index (AQI) has repeatedly exceeded 400, far surpassing international safety standards. Hospital outpatient visits have surged, with many chronic respiratory disease patients requiring medical attention due to the aggravated air pollution. Schools have temporarily suspended classes due to low visibility and high concentrations of particulate matter in the air, forcing students and teachers to switch to online learning. In response to the situation, the municipal government has suspended some public transportation services and installed temporary haze barriers on major roads to reduce the respiratory burden on drivers.

Indonesia’s long-standing issues with forest and peatland fires are closely linked to national agricultural development policies, climate change, and land-use changes. To expand agricultural land for oil palm and timber cultivation, local farmers often employ "slash-and-burn" techniques to clear vegetation. However, once peatlands dry out, fires easily become uncontrollable. With the increased frequency of droughts and high temperatures in recent years, water evaporation from peatlands has accelerated, making fires even harder to control. Although the Indonesian government enacted the Forest Protection Law in recent years, enforcement remains limited, particularly in remote areas where a lack of sufficient firefighting resources and monitoring systems allows fires to spread rapidly in their early stages.

In Palangkaraya, the haze has placed unprecedented pressure on medical institutions. The Palangkaraya General Hospital reported that emergency room admissions for respiratory diseases have increased by nearly 30 percent compared to usual levels due to high concentrations of particulate matter in the air. Doctors and nurses have been required to wear protective masks, and air purification systems have been installed inside the hospital to reduce patients' exposure risks. On the educational front, the local Department of Education announced the suspension of classes in multiple primary and secondary schools on the 24th, citing sustained AQI levels above warning thresholds, and is promoting remote teaching. Students and teachers have been advised to use air purifiers indoors and to avoid strenuous outdoor exercise as much as possible to minimize the risk of respiratory damage.

Central and local Indonesian authorities have implemented multiple measures to address the haze. The capital, Jakarta, and other major cities have activated "haze alert systems" and installed temporary haze barriers on major roads to help drivers mitigate reduced visibility. Local fire departments have deployed additional fire trucks and personnel for ground patrols and are utilizing drones to monitor fire conditions. To minimize direct human contact with fire sources, the government has implemented temporary blockades in certain affected areas and distributed masks and protective clothing to the public. The international community has also offered assistance, with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) providing technical and financial support to help Indonesia enhance its fire early warning and response capabilities.

This haze event has not only caused direct impacts within Indonesia but also triggered cascading effects on the regional and global environment and economy. As the world’s largest oil palm producer, Indonesia’s fire emissions of carbon dioxide and methane have a significant impact on climate change. The haze has also dealt a blow to the tourism sector, with many international travelers canceling their trips due to poor air quality, leading to a decline in local economic revenue. In the long term, if forest management and climate adaptation measures are not strengthened, Indonesia will face more frequent fire and haze events, further exacerbating public health and economic burdens.

To avoid repeating past mistakes, the Indonesian government is considering implementing stricter land-use regulations and strengthening peatland restoration programs. It aims to enhance fire monitoring and rapid response mechanisms through international cooperation and to raise public environmental awareness through education and outreach. If coordinated efforts are made at the policy, technological, and social levels, Indonesia may be able to reduce the impact of fires and haze on public health and the economy in the future, contributing to environmental governance at both the regional and global levels. (Factual source: Central News Agency)