South Sumatra's Air Quality Tonight (18/12) Worst in Indonesia

The air quality in South Sumatra tonight is the worst in Indonesia. Based on the Air Pollution Standard Index (ISPU) page of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) on Thursday (18/12/2025) at 18:00 WIB, it was revealed that the air quality index in South Sumatra was 98.

According to the Directorate of Air Pollution Control KLHK, ISPU is a unitless number used to describe the ambient air quality conditions in a certain location and is based on the impact on human health, aesthetic values, and other living things.

ISPU calculation is based on the measurement results of seven air pollutant parameters, namely PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, O3, and HC. Air pollutant parameter measurements are spread across 72 stations in various regions.

(Read: Distribution of Fatalities Due to Floods and Landslides in Aceh (December 9, 2025))

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

Furthermore, very unhealthy air quality in the range of 201-300 can increase health risks for sensitive groups. Meanwhile, hazardous air quality in the range of more than 300 can seriously harm health and requires prompt action.

Below South Sumatra, Banten ranks second worst in Indonesia with an air quality index of 95. Then, in third place is Jambi with an air quality index of 90.

This means no region has hazardous air quality.

Here is a list of the 10 provinces with the worst air quality index in Indonesia on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at 18:00 WIB.

1. South Sumatra: 98

2. Banten: 95

3. Jambi: 90

4. Central Kalimantan: 89

5. North Sumatra: 85

6. Aceh: 84

7. West Sumatra: 82

8. Lampung: 74

9. Central Java: 70

10. East Java: 69

(Read: Distribution of Fatalities Due to Floods and Landslides in Aceh (December 9, 2025))