Silent Hill of Karhutla in Banjarbaru: Gloomy Air, Wheezing Breaths, Anxious Families

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The haze from forest and land fires (karhutla) continues to envelop the lives of residents in Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan.

For months, they have been forced to carry out their daily activities amidst thick smoke-filled air.

For Intan (18), a resident of Banjarbaru, the situation feels like being in the horror film Silent Hill.

The film she once watched depicts a city shrouded in dense fog.

For the past four months, Intan has experienced a similar atmosphere in the Landasan Ulin area where she lives.

Even the rain that occasionally falls has made her hope that the haze would soon dissipate.

"Yesterday we had rain, thought it would clear up (the smoke). Instead, it was like in those Silent Hill movies," Intan recounted to Kompas.com in Landasan Ulin, Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, on Saturday (25/10/2026).

The Smoke Grows Denser After Sunset

Rather than disappearing, the haze becomes more pronounced after sunset.

As residents begin to prepare for rest, the smell of smoke becomes increasingly pungent around their homes.

"After Maghrib it gets smoky, and by morning, early dawn, the smell of smoke is very strong, very thick," she said.

According to Intan, the conditions experienced by residents on the ground differ from what is depicted on social media.

Some posts appear to suggest that the haze in South Kalimantan is not that severe.

In reality, the people of Landasan Ulin have been inhaling smoke-filled air every day for the past four months.

"Sometimes people see it on social media and say it’s not too bad. But the reality is it’s very severe," she stated.

Access to Clean Water is Also a Concern

Amidst the haze crisis, residents are also facing another issue: the availability of clean water.