More schools close in Indonesia due to worsening haze from forest fires
Summary
Schools in South Sumatra, Indonesia, have closed and switched to online classes because of thick smoke from forest and peatland fires, which have made the air unhealthy. The fires, worsened by El Nino and dry weather, have affected over 1.4 million students across Indonesia and caused health problems in the region.Key Facts
- The thick haze from fires forced schools in Palembang, South Sumatra’s capital, to move to remote learning for over 250,000 students.
- The smoke contains toxic particles that can cause breathing illnesses, especially in children.
- Indonesia’s forest and peat fires have worsened due to an intensifying El Nino weather pattern and a long dry season.
- The smoke has traveled far, reaching the Philippines and Malaysia, where it triggered an emergency in one Malaysian town.
- Around 12,800 schools in Sumatra and Borneo islands stayed closed because of poor air quality.
- The wildfires are mainly in Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo) and Sumatra, with Central Kalimantan as the worst affected area, showing 2,459 fire hot spots.
- Officials said they will keep checking the air and reopen schools when it is safe.
- Save the Children said the situation risks children's health and education and called it a child rights issue.
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