Sampit Residents Hope for Rain as Thick Haze From Land Fires Persists

Sampit: Thick haze from forest and land fires continues to blanket Sampit, the capital of East Kotawaringin Regency in Central Kalimantan, with residents hoping for rain to help clear the smoke and ease disruptions to daily life.

Sampit resident Nunung Adi Satriyanto said rain had fallen recently, but it was brief and light, doing little to reduce the haze.

“Rain fell yesterday, but it wasn’t heavy nor long-lasting. Meanwhile, the haze remains too thick. This has had a significant impact, particularly on children, who have had to switch to learning from home,” Nunung said in Sampit on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.

He said the persistent haze had also disrupted residents’ daily activities. After seeking assistance from various parties, residents are now hoping that rain will arrive soon.

“Our only hope is for rain to fall soon. We have sought help from many parties, but all we can do now is pray. Hopefully, the rain will come soon,” he said.

Nunung also observed that the sky appeared dark on Tuesday morning as haze combined with overcast conditions. He hoped this could be a sign that rain was approaching and would help reduce the thick smoke.

“Hopefully, we will get rain to improve the weather conditions and reduce the thick haze covering this area,” he said.

Haze was visible in several parts of Sampit, with reported visibility of less than 200 meters, highlighting the severity of the smoke blanketing the city. (Yaumil Tianri Rahmi)

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