Hazy conditions force Indonesia to shutter schools over children's health concerns

Schools were forced to shutter as a blanket of hazy conditions from forest fires covered parts of Indonesia's Sumatra island on Monday. The huge pall of smoke from this annual occurrence poses a grave threat to the health of the schoolchildren, particularly affecting their lungs.

Indonesian forest fires putting 10 million children at risk: UN

Indonesia has taken other drastic steps to stem the haze, including delaying flights.

Forest fires break out every year in Indonesia. In 2015 such fires spread haze across a vast swathe of Southeast Asia, and according to a study by Harvard and Columbia universities, hastened 100,000 deaths.

National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Agus Wibowo said nearly 1,200 fires were burning, more than double the number in past weeks as authorities managed to seed clouds to induce rain in several affected areas on Sumatra and Borneo islands.

Schoolchildren make their way to school as haze from forest fires blankets Palembang on Monday. Abdul Qodir/AFP

Wibowo said South Sumatra province had the largest number of detected fires, with nearly 700 hotspots, prompting authorities to shut most schools in Palembang, the province's capital, to protect children.

Ari Subandri, the general manager of Airnav Indonesia in Palembang, said poor visibility caused delays at the city's main airport.

Haze from Indonesian fires, often set to clear land for planting, is an annual problem for Southeast Asia.

The fires are often started by smallholders and plantation owners to clear land for planting. Many areas of Indonesia are prone to rapid burning because of the draining of swampy peatland forests for pulp wood and palm oil plantations.

Wibowo said seven helicopters dropped 66 million liters (17.4 million gallons) of water on Monday over South Sumatra province.

He said firefighting measures included 14 tons of salt to induce rain in anticipation of worsening fires.

This year alone, at least 52 helicopters have dropped more than 371 million liters (98 million gallons) of water and 255 tons of salt for cloud seeding as part of the firefighting efforts in six provinces that have declared emergencies. The provinces have a combined population of more than 23 million.

Associated Press