Schools closed as Indonesia battles wildfires

According to the Gulf Times, dozens of schools in Indonesia were shuttered for a second consecutive day on Tuesday as authorities move to protect students from hazardous air quality. The closures come as the country faces a spreading haze caused by wildfires, which have intensified at the start of a particularly dry season exacerbated by the El Nino climate phenomenon.

The haze has significantly reduced visibility and raised concerns regarding respiratory health in affected areas. Local officials have advised residents to limit outdoor activities and wear protective masks when necessary. The fires, which frequently occur during the dry season, are often linked to land-clearing practices that become difficult to control under extreme weather conditions.

Environmental experts and government agencies are monitoring the situation closely as the dry season progresses. The government has deployed firefighting teams to contain the blazes, though the combination of dry vegetation and El Nino-driven weather patterns continues to pose a significant challenge to containment efforts. Further updates on school reopenings are expected as air quality levels are reassessed in the coming days.