Haze blankets Lombok, NTB, reducing visibility to one kilometre

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has reported that a haze phenomenon is currently blanketing Lombok Island in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), limiting visibility to just one kilometre in the early hours. Ari Wibianto, Head of the Observation, Data, and Information Working Group at the Zainuddin Abdul Madjid (ZAM) Meteorological Station, stated that the hazy conditions occur during the dry season because low atmospheric humidity allows dust and dry particles to become airborne. ‘Because there is no rain, solid particles remain suspended in the air for a long time. When these solid particles become very dense, a haze phenomenon forms, which physically reduces visibility,’ he said in Mataram, NTB, on Monday. Based on BMKG observations over recent days, visibility around Lombok Airport has dropped to one kilometre during the early morning. These limited visibility conditions gradually improve as the intensity of sunlight slowly strengthens. Ari noted that the reduced visibility in recent days is inseparable from the dry season and the density of particles in the air. ‘We urge the public to be vigilant against the potential for forest, land, and residential fires by not burning rubbish carelessly or leaving sources of fire unattended,’ he said. The BMKG estimates the chance of rain across all of West Nusa Tenggara is less than 10 per cent in early July 2026, as the region begins to enter the peak phase of the dry season. The very low chance of rain is also influenced by the strengthening El Niño phenomenon, which is currently in the moderate category with an index of +1.61, making the dry season feel even drier.