Indonesians brave choking smoke to pray for rain as country battles wildfires

Authorities in Indonesia’s South Sumatra province turned to spiritual measures on Tuesday as huge blazes in central and western regions scorched wide areas of forests and peatland, creating a choking haze that blanketed some cities in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country.

Emergency services have been battling fires driven by an intensifying El Niño climate pattern and a prolonged dry season, generating dense smoke that crossed into Malaysia and Brunei.

Huge blazes in central and western regions of Indonesia have scorched wide areas of forests and peatland, creating a choking haze that blanketed some cities.

Indonesians brave choking smoke to pray for rain as country battles wildfires  Toronto Star

Authorities in Indonesia’s South Sumatra province have held a mass Islamic prayer for rain as forest and peatland fires fueled choking haze across parts of the country

Indonesians brave choking smoke to pray for rain as country battles wildfires  AP News