Super El Niño Triggers Severe Haze Across Southeast Asia

A toxic haze from Indonesia’s ongoing forest and peat fires—intensified by a ‘super’ El Niño—has spread to Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines, exposing millions and driving pollution to unhealthy levels and thousands of respiratory infections, including many children; peatland drainage and large-scale land use amplify fire risk and carbon release, and authorities warn the season could worsen in the coming months.