The haze problem in Southeast Asia appears to have travelled even further, with thick smoke reportedly blanketing parts of Metro Manila in the Philippines.
Photos shared by ABS-CBN News on Aug 31 showed the Manila skyline covered in a grey layer of haze, with buildings in the distance barely visible.
According to the report, the smoke originated from forest fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia, before being carried towards the Philippines by cross equatorial winds.
Manila covered in haze at 5.50pm
Despite the photos being taken at around 5.50pm, the city appeared unusually gloomy as the haze reduced visibility across the skyline.
ABS-CBN News cited atmospheric physicist Dr Gerry Bagtasa, who said the smoke was being transported by the prevailing southwest monsoon, locally known as Habagat.
He added that the hazy conditions could remain for several days, although rainfall expected later in the week could help clear the air.
The sight quickly gained attention online, with the original post receiving millions of views.
Indonesian netizens criticise their own government
Interestingly, some of the strongest reactions came from Indonesians themselves.
One Indonesian X user called on other Southeast Asian countries to take legal action against the Indonesian government over the recurring forest fires.
SEA countries should sue the Indonesian government over the health hazards caused by years and years of incompetence in handling forest fires. I’m saying this as an Indonesian myself.”
The post received tens of thousands of reposts and likes.
Another Indonesian user echoed the sentiment, listing Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and the Philippines before asking neighbouring countries to pressure their government.
Malaysia ✅
Singapura ✅
Brunei ✅
Filipina ✅
Seablings, please sue the Indonesian government. They’re blind, deaf, and have no empathy. They don’t care about anything but their own greedy needs. Please help us by sue our government.
Many of us are struggling to death, yet… pic.twitter.com/mxdRF5ivqO
“Please help us by suing our government,” the user wrote, claiming Indonesians themselves were also struggling with the impact of the fires.
Another netizen described it as “very sad” that Indonesia had become the source of a problem affecting other countries in the region.
‘I miss being able to see the other island’
Filipinos also shared how noticeably the haze had affected their surroundings.
One user initially thought Manila’s poor visibility was caused by local pollution before learning about the reported smoke from Indonesia.
I miss being able to see the other island from my window, but it’s all smoke here right now.”
Another remarked that Manila looked almost like dawn despite it already being 5.50pm.
Meanwhile, discussions online also turned towards the wider causes of recurring forest and land fires, with several users questioning the role of plantation development, corporations and authorities in preventing such incidents.
However, some of the specific allegations made by social media users regarding ownership of affected land have not been independently verified.
Transboundary haze remains a regional problem
Southeast Asia has dealt with transboundary haze for years, particularly when smoke from large scale forest and peatland fires is carried across national borders.
This latest episode has once again sparked frustration among people across the region, including Indonesians who say they are equally affected by the problem at home.
For Manila residents, the impact was visible enough that a late afternoon skyline looked noticeably darker and hazier than usual.
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