Dangerous smog blankets Jakarta as air quality hits unhealthy levels

Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, has been blanketed by dense smog, with air pollution reaching levels considered unhealthy for residents.

Air quality monitoring service IQAir, Jakarta’s air quality index stood at 154 at 5:00 a.m. local time placing the city in the “unhealthy” category, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

PM2.5 concentrations reached 59.5 micrograms per cubic metre, or 11.9 times the level recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The heavy pollution prompted many residents to wear protective masks while moving around the capital. Despite the poor air quality, however, daily activity continued largely as normal, with Jakarta’s roads remaining congested with cars and motorcycles and street vendors continuing to operate.

The episode highlights the scale of the capital’s air-quality challenges amid its rapidly growing population and intense urban activity.

Jakarta recently ranked as the world’s most populous city, with approximately 42 million people living in the capital and its surrounding urban area.

By Vafa Guliyeva