Haze From Indonesia Reportedly Reaches Manila As Indonesians Urge Neighbours To Take Legal Action

Smoke from forest fires in Indonesia has reportedly travelled as far as Manila, leaving parts of the Philippine capital covered in a thick layer of haze.

Images shared by ABS-CBN News on Aug. 31 showed the Manila skyline appearing grey and obscured, with buildings in the distance difficult to make out.

The smoke was reportedly linked to forest fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia, with winds carrying the haze towards the Philippines.

Manila Skyline Obscured By Haze

The hazy conditions were visible at around 5.50pm, when photographs showed the city looking unusually dark despite it still being late afternoon.

Atmospheric physicist Dr Gerry Bagtasa told ABS-CBN News that the smoke was being transported by the prevailing southwest monsoon, known locally as the Habagat.

He said the hazy conditions could persist for several days, although rainfall expected later in the week could help improve visibility.

The images quickly attracted widespread attention online, with the post receiving millions of views and prompting discussions about the recurring haze problem in Southeast Asia.

Indonesians Call For Action Against Their Own Government

Some of the strongest reactions came from Indonesian users, with several expressing frustration that smoke from forest fires was affecting neighbouring countries.

One Indonesian user called on Southeast Asian countries to consider legal action against the Indonesian government over the health hazards allegedly caused by recurring forest fires.

The user said this as an Indonesian themselves, while arguing that the problem had continued for years.

Another Indonesian user also appealed to neighbouring countries including Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and the Philippines to put pressure on the Indonesian government.

The posts sparked further discussion about Indonesia’s responsibility in addressing forest and land fires, as well as the impact of transboundary haze on neighbouring countries.

Filipinos Say Haze Has Changed Manila’s Skyline

Filipino social media users also shared their reactions to the unusually poor visibility.

One user said they initially believed the conditions were caused by pollution in Manila before learning that smoke from Indonesia was reportedly contributing to the haze.

Another said they missed being able to see a nearby island from their window because the view had been obscured by smoke.

Some users also remarked that Manila appeared to look like dawn even though it was already around 5.50pm.

The discussion also expanded to the causes of Indonesia’s recurring forest and land fires, with users raising questions about plantation development, corporations and government efforts to prevent fires.

However, some specific claims made online about land ownership and responsibility for individual fires have not been independently verified.

Transboundary haze has been a recurring environmental issue in Southeast Asia, particularly when smoke from forest and peatland fires is carried across national borders.

The latest haze affecting Manila has once again highlighted how fires in one part of the region can affect air quality and visibility hundreds of kilometres away.

For Singapore and other Southeast Asian countries, the episode also serves as a reminder that the region’s haze problem remains a cross-border environmental concern requiring cooperation between countries.