Haze slows traffic in Central Kalimantan

Haze slows traffic in Central Kalimantan

PALANGKA RAYA, Central Kalimantan (Antara): Several parts of Central Kalimantan have been covered with haze since the start of the drought in early July.

The haze is posing an obstacle to traffic in towns as well as the countryside.

A journalist traveling from Kuala Kapuas to Palangka Raya on Sunday, reported that many stretches of the main highway between the two towns were covered with haze, particularly between the Kahayan Hilir subdistrict of Kapuas district and Palangka Raya.

The same condition was found on the trans-Kalimantan road connecting Palangka Raya and Sampit in East Kotawaringin district, one of the busiest highways in Central Kalimantan.

Officials have said the haze was caused by forest fires started by locals clearing their land.

Experts said forest fires in areas where land comprising peat posed a particular risk as sparks or burning cinders from such fires could easily ignite the soil's peat layers, which have become extremely dry during the hot season.

The haze has also begun to hinder road users in Palangka Raya.

Locals fear a recurrence of the haze problems that hit Central Kalimantan a few years ago when there was a complete breakdown of air and river transportation.

A community leader in Central Kalimantan, Curnain Lambung, called on local administrations to inspect the areas where the forest fires have begun as soon as possible and to take measures to ensure that the fires do not spread.