Haze situation may worsen as Kalimantan hotspots rise to 808
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The number of hotspots detected in Kalimantan has reached 808, potentially leading to a worsening of transboundary haze in the region, according to Malaysian Meteorological Department director-general Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip. The extent of open burning in Indonesia and prevailing wind conditions will determine the impact. With the fires remaining unextinguished, the haze situation is expected to persist, affecting neighboring countries.
Currently, Malaysia is in the southwest monsoon period, and winds blow from Indonesia towards the country, anticipated to conclude in October. According to data from the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC), hotspot numbers in Kalimantan increased from 301 on Saturday to 461 the following day, and surged to 808 on Monday.
During the same timeframe, ASMC recorded 87 hotspots in Sumatra, 15 in Sabah and Sarawak, and one in Peninsular Malaysia. Despite this, ASMC noted that humid conditions expected in western Sarawak this week could potentially mitigate the impact of transboundary haze. The United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration supplied satellite imagery to detect hotspots, though their visibility may be hindered by cloudy conditions or gaps in satellite coverage.
Meanwhile, Hisham expressed optimism that air quality could improve with the transition to the northeast monsoon's direction.
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