World · East Asia & Pacific · 2 hrs ago
Smoke from Sumatra and Kalimantan blankets Batam
Smoke from forest and land fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan reached Batam, in Indonesia’s Riau Islands, on Oct.
14.
Residents said the haze was thicker than in recent days and caused sore eyes and difficulty breathing.
Some roads had visibility of about 50 metres, while visibility at Hang Nadim Airport was around 1,400 metres.
The haze also disrupted work for ride-hailing drivers because fewer people went out or ordered rides.
Batam recorded 327 acute respiratory infection cases on Oct.
10 across several community health centres.
The haze was linked to poor air quality, with PM2.5 measured at 190.1 micrograms per cubic metre on the morning of Oct.
14.
The local weather agency said smoke movement and winds were affecting the region, but the sources give no forecast for when the haze will clear.
Smoke believed to have spread from fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan blanketed Batam on Wednesday, October 14.
Residents reported eye irritation and breathing difficulties, while the smoke reduced visibility across the city.
The weather agency reported PM2.5 concentrations of 190.1 µg/m³ and visibility of about 1,400 metres at Hang Nadim Airport.
Batam recorded 327 acute respiratory infection cases on October 10, according to the city health department.
- Who
- Batam residents were affected; the weather agency said smoke had spread from Sumatra and Kalimantan.
- What
- Smoke covered Batam, worsening air quality and reducing visibility.
- When
- Wednesday, October 14, 2026; the health department reported cases recorded on October 10.
- Where
- Batam, in Indonesia’s Riau Islands province.
- Why
- The weather agency said smoke from fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan had spread to the Riau Islands.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Batam recorded 480 acute respiratory infection cases.
Health centres in Batam recorded 327 acute respiratory infection cases.
Smoke covered Batam, and the weather agency reported PM2.5 at 190.1 µg/m³ at 08:00 WIB.
- PM2.5
- 190.1 µg/m³ at 08:00 WIB on October 14
- Airport visibility
- About 1,400 metres at Hang Nadim Airport
- Road visibility
- Estimated at about 100 metres on some roads and about 50 metres in some locations
- Respiratory infection cases
- 327 recorded on October 10
- Wind
- From the southeast to southwest at 3–15 kilometres per hour
What people are saying
Breathing is a little difficult, the view is blurred, my eyes sting, and I can no longer see things from far away.
This is from Sumatra and Kalimantan and has affected the Riau Islands.
For October 10, health centres in Batam recorded 327 acute respiratory infection cases.