Rain eases haze in Palembang

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.