Indonesians Pray for Rain as Wildfire Haze Chokes Cities
Thousands gathered in South Sumatra for a special Islamic rain prayer as forest and peatland fires blanket the region in smoke.
PALEMBANG, Indonesia — Authorities in Indonesia's South Sumatra province, which has the highest number of wildfire hot spots nationwide, turned to spiritual measures on Tuesday as huge blazes in central and western regions scorched wide areas of forest and peatland, creating a choking haze over cities in the world's most populous Muslim-majority country.
The prayer gathering comes as the province faces prolonged dry weather that has heightened the risk of fires.
Latest satellite data from Indonesia's Environment Ministry showed South Sumatra recorded 1,429 hot spots, the most nationwide, followed by West Kalimantan with 1,226 and Central Kalimantan with 811. Forestry Ministry data showed nearly 940 square kilometers (363 square miles) burned in July alone, including more than 20 square kilometers (8 square miles) in South Sumatra.
About 3,000 residents gathered in Palembang, the provincial capital, to perform "salat istisqa," a special Islamic prayer for rain, standing shoulder to shoulder in the courtyard of the governor's office as thick smoke shrouded roads and buildings, forcing motorists to drive with headlights on during the day.
"We have done everything we can and worked closely with all relevant parties," South Sumatra Gov. Herman Deru said before the prayer. "As people of faith, we are also praying to God to send rain so that life can return to normal."
Deru said the prayer would complement ongoing firefighting and drought-mitigation efforts and give residents a moment to unite against the environmental crisis.
Emergency services have been battling fires fueled by an intensifying El Niño pattern and a prolonged dry season, generating dense smoke that has crossed into Malaysia and Brunei, according to Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency.
Indonesia is intensifying weather-modification operations, using 30 aircraft for cloud-seeding and water-bombing over Kalimantan and 22 helicopters over Sumatra to induce rainfall by dispersing salt particles into clouds.
Police have arrested 72 people suspected of starting some of the fires, while four companies are under investigation for allegedly using fire to clear land cheaply. Plantation owners and farmers often start fires to clear land, triggering haze that reduces visibility, disrupts transportation and threatens public health. The seasonal fires have repeatedly drawn diplomatic complaints from neighboring Southeast Asian countries.
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