The emergence of a haze phenomenon in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, has caused stinging eyes among locals and reduced visibility.
Haze is an atmospheric phenomenon caused by small particles that obscure vision and reduce the clarity of the sky. It typically occurs when dust, smoke or water vapour accumulates in the atmosphere and obstructs light.
Residents have complained of stinging eyes following the emergence of the haze. Meanwhile, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (Badan Meteorologi Klimatologi dan Geofisika, or BMKG) revealed that the haze in Labuan Bajo has reduced visibility to approximately four kilometres. Sensitive groups, such as children and individuals with respiratory conditions, are therefore advised to limit their outdoor activities.
“We urge sensitive groups—including children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions—to limit strenuous outdoor activities when the air is smoky or dusty,” Maria Patricia Christin Seran, the Head of the Komodo Meteorological Station, said on Monday, the 19th of October.
Seran also remarked that the haze in Labuan Bajo could potentially be caused by smoke drifting from forest and land fires outside the East Nusa Tenggara region. However, she emphasised that further analysis is needed to determine the exact cause, as the particles contributing to the haze may not come solely from smoke.
“Based on meteorological monitoring, wind patterns in the East Nusa Tenggara region remain dominated by easterly winds. From a meteorological perspective, these wind patterns allow for the transport of particulates from areas east of East Nusa Tenggara. If there are emission sources—such as forest and land fires—in those eastern regions, the resulting particulates could potentially be carried by air currents into the East Nusa Tenggara region,” she explained.
Nevertheless, tourist boat operations in Labuan Bajo continue to run as usual. Ahyar Abadi, the Head of the West Manggarai Tourist Boat Association, stated that, as of Tuesday, the 20th of October, no boat trips in Komodo National Park had been cancelled due to the haze.
Abadi also noted that the haze had persisted for nearly two months but had become increasingly thick over the past few days.
“It has been like this for nearly two months. Over the past few days, the haze has become even thicker. From Pungu Island, Messah Island is no longer visible,” he told the press on Tuesday.