Indonesians brave choking smoke to pray for rain as country battles wildfires

Authorities in Indonesia's South Sumatra province organized communal prayers for rain on Tuesday as the country faces widespread wildfires. The blazes, concentrated in central and western regions, have scorched significant areas of forests and peatland, resulting in a dense, choking haze that has blanketed several cities.

South Sumatra currently reports the highest number of wildfire hot spots in the nation. The reliance on spiritual measures follows the ongoing environmental crisis, which continues to impact air quality and visibility across the affected regions.