Haze Hits Livelihoods Across Sumatra as Workers Struggle Through Unhealthy Air
PALEMBANG, INDONESIA — September 20, 2026

Thick haze from widespread wildfires is disrupting daily life and livelihoods across Indonesia’s Sumatra island, leaving workers struggling to earn a living as unhealthy air keeps people indoors.

In Palembang, South Sumatra, rickshaw driver Kholidi says his income has fallen sharply as schools close and markets become quieter.

The 60-year-old told CNA that he sometimes spends hours searching for passengers without earning any money.

Thousands of Fires Fuel Thick Haze
Forests, bushes and dried peatlands have been burning across Indonesia for weeks, with Sumatra and Kalimantan among the areas most affected.

As of September 16, Indonesia’s Forestry Ministry recorded 5,983 hotspots across Sumatra, including 4,169 in South Sumatra, according to CNA.

The fires have also sent smoke across national borders, affecting air quality in neighbouring Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines.

Workers Face Falling Incomes
For people who depend on outdoor work, the haze has created an immediate economic problem.

Markets have seen fewer customers, while schools and other places where workers normally find passengers or customers have been affected by closures.

In Palembang, the Air Quality Index has remained between 150 and 275 since mid-August, levels classified by Indonesian authorities as unhealthy to very unhealthy.

Poor visibility has also forced authorities in parts of South Sumatra to close roads because of concerns over traffic accidents.

Health Concerns Add to Economic Pressure
The haze is also creating serious health concerns.

Reuters reported that more than 12.5 million people across seven Indonesian provinces had been exposed to wildfire-related haze, while respiratory illness cases increased from 50,891 on September 1 to 113,336 by September 9.

The fires have been intensified by unusually hot and dry conditions associated with a strong El Niño pattern. Indonesian authorities have warned that some fires could continue until late October or early November if significant rainfall does not arrive.

Waiting for the Air to Clear
Firefighters have been using aircraft to drop water and conduct cloud-seeding operations, while international assistance has also been provided.

But for workers who depend on daily customers, the immediate problem remains simple: when people stay indoors because of the haze, there are fewer opportunities to earn money.

For many in Sumatra, the return of cleaner air and normal daily activity may depend on the arrival of sustained rainfall.

Sources: CNA, Reuters.