South-east Asia’s worst haze episodes explained
South-east Asia is experiencing its worst haze crisis in over a decade, driven by slash-and-burn agricultural practices exacerbated by El Nino weather patterns. The pollution has caused widespread respiratory issues, school closures, and flight disruptions across Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
Why it matters
The recurring haze crisis highlights the intersection of illegal agricultural practices, climate change, and public health in Southeast Asia.
Motorists drive through an apocalyptic orange landscape in Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan province, Indonesia, on Oct 14.
Listen Summarise South-east Asia has faced major haze episodes, often during strong El Nino years. Slash-and-burn land clearing in Indonesia is a key cause. The 2026 haze is the worst in over a decade. It brought unhealthy air, school closures, flight disruptions and more than 283,000 respiratory infections in Indonesia. Past crises in 1982, 1997 and 2015 caused huge damage, deaths and costs. They also led to protests, wildlife losses and the ASEAN haze agreement. AI generated
SINGAPORE – South-east Asia has faced multiple episodes of severe haze, with at least four of them coinciding with particularly strong El Nino years.
In 1982, 1997, 2015 and 2026, the fires in Indonesia were exacerbated by drier, hotter weather caused by the climate phenomenon.
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