The air quality in Padang, West Sumatra in Indonesia remained unhealthy on Thursday (Sept 19) as a thick haze continues to blanket the city.

Residents have been advised to limit activities outside and use masks.

The choking smog, caused by fires to clear land for palm oil plantations, has enveloped parts of Southeast Asia in the past two weeks.

Over the past week, smog blanketed the city of Padang, Indonesia's West Sumatra Province. Similar conditions also occurred in a number of cities, especially those bordering the provinces of Riau and Jambi.
The haze in the city of Padang is referred to by the local government as a shipment from a neighboring province where forests and land are on fire.
As a result of the smog that blanketed the city of Padang, visibility has diminished and air quality has also been declared unhealthy. Residents are also advised to reduce activities outside the home and always use masks. Until now, the rain has not fallen, so the smoke is still standing.