South Sumatra is the Most Polluted in Indonesia This Morning (March 17)

Air quality in South Sumatra is the worst in Indonesia this morning. Based on the Air Pollution Standard Index (ISPU) page of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) on Tuesday (March 17, 2026) at 08.00 WIB, it was revealed that the air quality index in South Sumatra is 100.

According to the KLHK Air Pollution Control Directorate, ISPU is a unitless number used to describe ambient air quality conditions at a specific location and is based on impacts on human health, aesthetic values, and other living beings.

ISPU calculations are based on measurements of seven air pollutant parameters: PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, O3, and HC. Pollutant parameter measurements are spread across 72 stations in various regions.

(Read: Floods, Natural Disasters that Hit Indonesia Hard in September 2025)

Based on Minister of Environment and Forestry Regulation No. 14 of 2020 concerning the Air Pollution Standard Index, ISPU in the 0-50 range indicates good air quality, the 51-100 range means moderate air quality, and the 101-200 range indicates unhealthy air that is harmful to humans, animals, and plants.

Next, the 201-300 range indicates very unhealthy air which can increase health risks for sensitive groups. Meanwhile, air quality in the range above 300 is hazardous, can seriously harm health, and requires immediate handling.

Below South Sumatra, West Java ranks second worst in Indonesia with an air quality index of 96. Then, Jambi is in third place with an air quality index of 88.

This means that no region has hazardous air quality.

Below is the list of 10 provinces with the worst air quality index in Indonesia on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at 08.00 WIB.

1. South Sumatra: 100

2. West Java: 96

3. Jambi: 88

4. Central Kalimantan: 86

5. Aceh: 82

6. North Sumatra: 81

7. South Sulawesi: 80

8. Banten: 74

9. East Java: 71

10. South Kalimantan: 63

(Read: Floods, Natural Disasters that Hit Indonesia Hard in September 2025)