Surrounded by Forest Fire Smoke, Air Quality in Palembang is Very Unhealthy

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has stated that air quality in Palembang, South Sumatra, has reached the highest level of ‘very unhealthy’ due to forest and land fires (karhutla) in several areas across the province.

“The air quality in Palembang City on Thursday (3/9) at 03:00 WIB was at a very unhealthy level,” said the Head of the Class I Climatology Station in South Sumatra, Wandayantolis, quoting Antara.

He noted that based on monitoring from the Musi 2 PM2.5 Station in Palembang, the air quality remained in the very unhealthy category into the morning due to the presence of haze.

Wandayantolis explained that Particulate Matter (PM2.5) refers to air particles with a size less than or equal to 2.5 µm (micrometres).

The measurement of PM2.5 concentration uses the Beta Attenuation Monitoring method, with units measured in micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³).

BMKG data shows that the concentration of fine particulates, or PM2.5, at the Musi 2 Palembang Station reached a peak of 235.6 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³), falling into the very unhealthy category.

This condition is partly influenced by smoke from forest and land fires occurring in various parts of South Sumatra, which has drifted into Palembang City.

In response to this, Wandayantolis has urged the public to limit outdoor activities, particularly for residents with respiratory issues.

“If it is necessary to go outside, it is best to protect yourself with a mask and goggles,” he concluded.