[REVISION HISTORY]

Global urban air quality and Kalimantan forest fires

Updated 29 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-23 01:58 UTC → 2026-09-30 13:11 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The regional haze crisis has intensified as widespread forest and peatland fires in Indonesia, fueled by severe drought and El Niño, continue to impact air quality across Southeast Asia. In Malaysia, an emergency was declared in Serian, Sarawak, after the Air Pollutant Index reached a hazardous 521. Singapore’s 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index has entered the unhealthy category, and the Philippines has seen class suspensions in Metro Manila and northern provinces. Aviation disruptions have escalated significantly due to thick haze. Between September 14 and 20, 2026, the Ministry of Transportation reported that 409 flights were affected within the Balikpapan Airport Authority Region VII, including 141 delays, 254 cancellations or postponements, and 14 diversions. Central Kalimantan saw the highest impact with 201 affected flights, while East Kalimantan and North Kalimantan recorded 138 and 70 affected flights, respectively. Visibility at airports such as Tjilik Riwut, Iskandar, and Haji Muhammad Sidik has dropped as low as 50 meters. At Tjilik Riwut Airport, PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia estimates losses exceeding Rp1 billion due to the suspension of take-offs and landings over the past month. ~~In Central Kalimantan,~~ Recent data from September 21–27, 2026, indicates a slight recovery, with the ~~National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reports that fires have~~ number of affected flights decreasing by approximately ~~180 hectares, with ground task forces extinguishing about 150 hectares. However, authorities warn~~ 25.7 percent compared to the ~~situation remains unstable as new fire spots emerge daily~~ previous week. During this period, 304 flights were impacted, comprising 63 delays, 240 cancellations or postponements, and ~~peatland carries a risk~~ one diversion. While air traffic stability improved in East and North Kalimantan, disruptions increased in Central Kalimantan, which accounted for roughly 74 percent of ~~re-ignition. To mitigate the haze, the government is implementing Weather Modification Operations (OMC) to induce rainfall. Due to low~~ total regional disruptions with 225 affected flights. Low visibility ~~at Tjilik Riwut Airport, OMC aircraft are being relocated to Syamsudin Noor and Pangkalan Bun airports~~ remains a safety concern, dropping to ~~continue operations.~~ 100 meters at Haji Muhammad Sidik Airport in Barito.

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