Indonesia South Sumatra wildfire haze prayer

Severe forest and peatland fires in Indonesia, particularly in Indonesia — South Sumatra, Indonesia — West Kalimantan, and Indonesia — Central Kalimantan, have created choking haze affecting cities and neighboring countries. Authorities held a mass Islamic prayer for rain in Palembang, while deploying aircraft for cloud-seeding and water-bombing. Police arrested 72 suspects and four companies are under investigation for illegal land clearing. The fires are driven by El Nino and prolonged dry season, burning nearly 940 square kilometers in July alone.