Indonesia rain set to ease toxic haze in Singapore and Malaysia

Indonesian soldiers, tasked with fighting forest and land fires, celebrate as it rains in Banjar Baru, South Kalimantan province, on Wednesday, following months of forest and land fires. | AFP-JIJI

Oct 30, 2026

Indonesia is set for more consistent rain next month, providing relief from wildfires that have spewed toxic smoke across Singapore and Malaysia, though widespread downpours are still weeks away.

Rainfall has picked up across Indonesia in recent days, helping to replenish soil moisture after months of severe drought triggered by El Nino, according to weather data. While that’s offered some respite, heavier rain isn’t expected until at least early December in regions such as Kalimantan, where blazes have raged and most of the remaining fire hotspots are located.

The choking haze from Indonesia’s worst fire season in years has cloaked local towns and drifted across neighboring countries for weeks, closing schools, driving demand for air purifiers and straining diplomatic ties. Singapore’s foreign minister visited Jakarta this week to ease widening tensions, with the two countries agreeing to establish a joint taskforce on forest fires.

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