JP/5/HAZE

JP/5/HAZE

Haze eases in Palembang, but still prevails in Kalimantan

M. Huzair and Mikael Setiawan
The Jakarta Post/Palembang/Balikpapan

Haze began to dissipate on Tuesday over Sumatra island,
particularly in the South Sumatra capital of Palembang, following
heavy rainfall.

However, haze is still blanketing Kalimantan, impending
people's mobility and raising health concerns.

In Palembang, torrential rain on Monday and Tuesday resulted
in flooding, with some parts of the city ending up 30 to 50
centimeters under water.

Victor, a bank employee, complained that his motorcycle engine
had become waterlogged and he had been forced to push the
motorcycle to his workplace.

In the East Kalimantan city of Balikpapan, haze density
reached 429 micrograms per cubic meter, far above the 150
micrograms per cubic meter maximum set by the government,
according to data at the Balikpapan Meteorology and Geophysics
Agency (BMG).

Haze was also so dense in Balangan regency, South Kalimantan
province, that the sun could hardly penetrate it, Antara news
agency reported.

The thick haze spread fears about breathing difficulties among
Kalimantan residents.

In North Barito regency, Central Kalimantan province, the
number of people suffering respiratory problems has been on the
rise since September. In September, 310 people sought medical
treatment at local community health centers and hospitals. The
number had risen to 327 as of Tuesday.

Hendro Prasetyo, the head of North Barito Health Office,
called on local residents on Tuesday to limit outdoor activities.

The North Barito government has distributed 1,000 free face
masks to local residents to help them cope with the haze, said
government worker Wiwiek Jarwiati.

The thick haze, however, has not disrupted flight in
Kalimantan. Visibility was above the minimum requirement of 2,000
meters at Sepinggan Airport in Balikpapan, making it unnecessary
to cancel any flights.