13 hotspots detected in Malaysia, nearly 2,000 in Kalimantan and Sumatra

Malaysia detected thirteen hotspots of haze in satellite imagery, while Indonesia reported nearly two thousand, according to the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) in Singapore. The hotspots were identified across the southern Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) region. In Malaysia, nine hotspots were found in Sarawak, two in Sabah, and two in Perak, as reported by the deputy director-general of the environment department, Azuri Azizah Saedon. Indonesia's hotspot count was significantly higher, with 1,180 in Kalimantan and 18 in Sumatra.

The ASMC's regional haze map indicated dry conditions dominating most of southern Asean, except for isolated regions. Moderate to thick transboundary haze was observed moving from West Kalimantan into western Sarawak, and across much of Kalimantan, central Sarawak, and central and southern Sumatra. However, cloud cover prevented a complete assessment of the overall extent of hotspots and haze.

In response to the rising hotspot activity and haze spread, the Asean secretariat raised the alert level to 3 for the region on August 27, as per the SOPs for Asean monitoring, assessment, and joint emergency response. As of 10 am today, two areas in Sarawak registered "hazardous" API readings, with two more showing "very unhealthy" readings.

Kuching and Sri Aman recorded "very unhealthy" readings of 297 and 215, respectively, while Serian and Samarahan reported "hazardous" API levels of 385 and 316. Thirteen other areas were classified as "unhealthy," while the rest of the country experienced "moderate" air quality. No "good" air quality was reported nationwide. API readings range from zero to 50 (good), 51 to 100 (moderate), 101 to 200 (unhealthy), 201 to 300 (very unhealthy), and above 300 (hazardous).