Authorities in South Sumatra province, Indonesia, have resorted to both spiritual and emergency measures to tackle raging forest and peatland fires that have shrouded parts of the region in toxic haze.
Around 3,000 residents gathered on Tuesday in Palembang, the provincial capital, for a special Islamic prayer for rain, known as salat istisqa, held in the courtyard of the governor's office. Attendees stood shoulder-to-shoulder as thick smoke cut visibility, forcing drivers to turn on headlights in daylight.
South Sumatra currently records the highest number of forest fire hotspots in Indonesia, with 1,429 detected by satellites from the Ministry of Environment, followed by West Kalimantan with 1,226 and Central Kalimantan with 811. Officials say nearly 940 square kilometers of land have been scorched in July, including over 20 square kilometers in South Sumatra.
Governor Herman Deru said before the prayer: "We have done everything we can and are coordinating closely with all stakeholders. As people of faith, we also pray to God to send rain so life can return to normal."
Rescue teams are battling the fires amid a strengthening El Nino and an extended dry season. According to the National Disaster Management Agency, smoke from the fires has drifted into Malaysia and Brunei. Authorities have deployed dozens of aircraft for cloud seeding and water-bombing missions, arrested 72 individuals suspected of using fire to clear land, and are investigating four companies.
Seasonal forest fires and transboundary haze have long been a flashpoint in Southeast Asian regional relations.
