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SINGAPORE \u2013 South-east Asia has faced multiple episodes of severe haze, with at least four of them coinciding with particularly strong El Nino years.<\/p>\n
In 1982, 1997, 2015 and 2026, the fires in Indonesia were exacerbated by drier, hotter weather caused by the climate phenomenon.<\/p>\n
The fires are largely caused by slash-and-burn agricultural practices used by farmers to clear land. This is illegal in Indonesia, but still often used as it is cheaper than using excavators.<\/p>\n
The Straits Times traces the scorch marks of the fires compounded by strong El Nino events in recent history, including their impact on the region.<\/p>\n
The current episode is the worst haze crisis to affect the region in over a decade.<\/p>\n
Smoky pollution from the forest fires in Indonesia has been detected as far away as the Philippines. Between late August and early September, Metro Manila\u2019s air quality fell to acutely unhealthy levels, according to media reports.<\/p>\n
Schools have been closed and flights grounded in affected parts of Malaysia and Indonesia. Respiratory cases in both countries have grown.<\/p>\n
Indonesia has recorded more than 283,000 cases of acute respiratory infections in affected regions from Aug 18 to Oct 13, said its Health Ministry.<\/p>\n
In parts of Kalimantan, the fires turned the sky an apocalyptic orange, and NASA imagery showed high levels of carbon monoxide blanketing South-east Asia due to the fires.<\/p>\n