{
  "id": 15122959,
  "title": "Haze triggers highest alert level in southern ASEAN zone: monitor",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/haze-triggers-highest-alert-level-in-southern-asean-zone-monitor-15122959",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-17T05:07:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/world/20261017/haze-triggers-highest-alert-level-in-southern-asean-zone-monitor"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Southeast Asia is grappling with a severe haze crisis, prompted by ongoing fires in Indonesia. This environmental disaster has led the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) to issue the highest alert level, Level 3, for the Southern ASEAN region, according to Singapore's ASMC. The ASMC employs a four-tiered alert system, with Level 3 signifying a high risk of severe transboundary haze.\n\nThe situation escalated after identifying significant and persistent hot spot activities, accompanied by widespread moderate to dense smoke haze, over two consecutive days. Dry weather conditions and wind patterns also contributed to the haze drifting towards neighboring ASEAN nations. The ASMC issued this alert on Friday, but it's not the first time; similar alerts were already issued on August 26 and March 27 this year.\n\nThe prolonged haze spell has severely impacted the lives of millions in Southeast Asia, disrupting daily routines, closing schools, and causing a surge in respiratory ailments. In response, Singapore announced measures to tackle the crisis, but the situation remains dire. The haze crisis persists, and the situation continues to worsen, threatening the health and well-being of millions in the region.",
  "summary": "SINGAPORE — Ongoing fires in Indonesia that have blanketed parts of Southeast Asia with toxic haze have triggered the highest-level alert by the regional bloc's climate and fire monitor. \"Activation of Alert Level 3 for the Southern ASEAN region,\" the Singapore ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) said on its website, seen on Saturday. Based near Singapore's Changi Airport, the ASMC…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Johor wants Asean to call meeting on future preventive measures on cross-border haze",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/johor-wants-asean-to-call-meeting-on-future-preventive-measures-on",
        "published": "2026-10-17T01:06:37.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Independent Singapore",
        "title": "Malaysia should sue Indonesia over haze if Jakarta rejects ASEAN firefighting task force, urges DAP national adviser Lim Guan Eng",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/malaysia-should-sue-indonesia-over-haze-if-jakarta-rejects-asean",
        "published": "2026-10-17T01:30:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Asean must act decisively to end recurring haze, says MMA",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/asean-must-act-decisively-to-end-recurring-haze-says-mma",
        "published": "2026-10-17T04:30:36.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Haze triggers highest alert level in southern ASEAN zone: monitor",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/haze-triggers-highest-alert-level-in-southern-asean-zone-monitor",
        "published": "2026-10-17T04:47:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "Asean climate monitor issues highest alert level over toxic haze",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/asean-climate-monitor-issues-highest-alert-level-over-toxic-haze",
        "published": "2026-10-17T05:26:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}