283,000 Respiratory Cases Sweep Indonesia as El Nino Fuels Transboundary Haze
South-east Asia is grappling with its worst haze crisis in over a decade. The severe air pollution is driven by illegal slash-and-burn agricultural land clearing in Indonesia, which has been exacerbated by hot, dry El Nino weather patterns.
The current smoke pollution has triggered more than 283,000 cases of acute respiratory infections across affected regions of Indonesia between August 18 and October 13, the Indonesian Health Ministry reported. Schools have closed and flights are grounded in parts of Malaysia and Indonesia as visibility drops.
Singapore Registers 18 Consecutive Days of Unhealthy Air
Singapore registered 18 consecutive days of unhealthy air starting October 5, surpassing the 15 days in 2015. The country’s highest 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index reading peaked at 230 in the western region at 10 a.m. on October 18, placing air quality in the very unhealthy range.
Swiss-based air quality monitor IQAir ranked Singapore as the most polluted city for several days in October. The situation eased on the afternoon of October 22 when the 24-hour PSI returned to the good to moderate range, though satellite maps still showed active hot spots across Sumatra and Kalimantan.
Legal Notices Served to Ten Companies Over Transboundary Pollution
Singapore has served legal notices under its Transboundary Haze Pollution Act to 10 companies, requesting detailed information regarding their fire prevention and suppression strategies. Meanwhile, persistent fires in Kalimantan and Sumatra have sparked public protests across Indonesia. Demonstrators are demanding stronger firefighting efforts, stricter penalties for responsible corporations, and better protection for local communities.
NASA satellite imagery showed high levels of carbon monoxide blanketing South-east Asia. In parts of Kalimantan, the heavy smoke turned the sky an orange color. The pollution also drifted far beyond Indonesia’s immediate neighbors, dragging Metro Manila’s air quality down to acutely unhealthy levels between late August and early September.
Critical Habitat Loss Threatens Bornean Orangutans
The months-long blazes are razing critical wildlife habitats in Indonesia. The International Union for Conservation of Nature warned in September that fires were actively burning in habitats containing 52 percent of Borneo’s orangutan population.
Indonesian authorities rescued 232 wild animals by October 8. The rescue count includes 76 proboscis monkeys and 71 orangutans in Borneo.
Comparing 2026 With Past El Nino Haze Crises
Severe South-east Asian haze episodes consistently align with strong El Nino years, notably in 1982, 1997, 2015, and 2026. The 2015 crisis remains the most severe on record, amplified by a strong Godzilla El Nino that a Harvard University study estimated caused 100,000 premature deaths across Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.
The 1997 crisis lasted four months and prompted the region to sign the legally binding ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution in 2002. The 1982-1983 event marked the first documented large fire and smoke episode in the second half of the 20th century in Indonesia, burning over five million hectares across Borneo.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 Haze Crisis
How far did the smoke pollution travel in 2026?
Smoky pollution from the Indonesian forest fires was detected as far away as the Philippines. Between late August and early September, air quality in Metro Manila dropped to acutely unhealthy levels.
What caused the temporary relief in Singapore’s air quality on October 22?
The 24-hour PSI returned to the good to moderate range on the afternoon of October 22 due to favourable wind conditions. Satellite maps confirmed that hot spots continued to burn in Sumatra and Kalimantan despite the temporary air clearing.
How many animals have Indonesian authorities rescued from the fires?
Indonesia rescued 232 wild animals as of October 8, including 71 orangutans and 76 proboscis monkeys in Borneo.
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