Haze in Southeast Asia worsens | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

Large parts of Southeast Asia remain engulfed in a blanket of haze as smoke from wildfires in Indonesia continues to spread across the region.

The skyline of Singapore has been shrouded in dense haze for several days. The government says the air quality dropped to an unhealthy level in all five regions in the city-state on Tuesday. Local media report that companies and sports organizations are planning to cancel several outdoor activities.

In neighboring Malaysia, the air quality is also worsening.

The Indonesian province of West Kalimantan is one of the areas worst hit by the forest fires. Concerns are mounting among local residents about possible health effects. Indonesian weather officials say El Nino and a prolonged dry season are increasing the risk of wildfires.