Haze Information

Latest Weather and Haze Situation

Isolated showers were observed over many parts of the northern ASEAN region today, although drier conditions were observed over the northern parts of the Mekong sub-region and the Philippines. Clusters of scattered hotspots were detected in the northern and central parts of Lao PDR as well as the northern parts of Viet Nam, while isolated hotspots were detected in the rest of the Mekong sub-region. Moderate to dense smoke plumes were observed emanating from hotspot clusters in the northern and central parts of Lao PDR. Transboundary smoke haze was observed to drift from southern Lao PDR into the central parts of Viet Nam. A few air quality stations in the eastern parts of the Mekong sub-region are reporting Unhealthy and Very Unhealthy levels. The full extent of the hotspot and smoke haze situation could not be fully determined due to extensive cloud cover.

For the southern ASEAN region, wet weather were observed with the exception of relatively drier conditions over parts of Sumatra and Kalimantan. A few hotspots were detected in Sumatra and Kalimantan but no significant smoke plumes were observed.

Updated 5:44 PM 18 Apr

Weather and Haze Outlook

In the coming days, dry conditions are forecast over most parts of the Mekong sub-region and the northern parts of the Philippines while isolated showers are forecast for the central parts of the Mekong sub-region and the southern parts of the Philippines. The hotspot and haze situation may escalate again in parts of the sub-region under prolonged drier conditions, with a potential of transboundary haze occurrence. The prevailing winds over the northern ASEAN region are forecast to blow from the southwest or west while winds over the Philippines are forecast to blow from the east.

For the southern ASEAN region, wet weather is forecast to persist. The hotspot and haze situation is expected to remain subdued over this region. The prevailing winds over the southern ASEAN region are forecast to be generally light and variable in direction.

Updated 5:44 PM 18 Apr