Pregnant women among vulnerable citizens seeking respite from Indonesia haze crisis

The haze crisis engulfing western Indonesia has caused shutdowns and health issues at nearly every level of society, as seen in this extended profile of events unfolding in the region.

Footage shows transport failures in Pekanbaru, Riau Province on land and air caused by diminished visibility, masks being issued to children, while vulnerable people, including a pregnant woman, are being admitted to hospital suffering from the affects of the air pollution.

This condition has lasted since August due to near-constant fires burning through the surrounding forest, despite combined efforts from both firefighters and local people to put them out.

The Air Pollution Standards Index Board (ISPU) listed air quality in the region as at a "dangerous level" today (September 23). In response the Riau Provincial Government declared a state of Emergency from the pollution until September 30.

Health clinics have been set up throughout the Riau region where people can get respite from air purifier machines and oxygen for no charge.

Heavy smog has also disrupted flights at the Sultan Syarif Kasim II airport in Pekanbaru, with passengers crowding the airport area due to a number of delays and cancellations.

As many as 33 flights consisting of 17 departures and 16 arrivals were cancelled due to low visibility which made it impossible for the aircraft to make a landing.