Category Archives: Alert 2

Activation of Alert Level 2 for the Southern ASEAN Region

Prevailing dry weather conditions over the southern ASEAN region in recent days have led to an escalation in hotspot and smoke haze activities. Based on satellite surveillance, moderate smoke haze was observed to emanate from clusters of hotspots detected in the central parts of Sumatra. Some transboundary haze was observed to drift into western Peninsular Malaysia. 79 and 65 hotspots were detected in Sumatra on 18 and 19 July 2025 respectively from the NOAA-20 satellite. Few hotspots were also detected elsewhere in the southern ASEAN region.

Dry weather is expected to persist over the southern ASEAN region in the coming days, with prevailing winds likely to blow from the southeast or southwest. Under these conditions, the hotspot and smoke haze situation could worsen with an increased risk of transboundary smoke haze occurrence.

Downgrade to Alert Level 2 for Mekong sub-region

In recent days, there was an increase in shower activities over the Mekong sub-region under inter-monsoon conditions. The increased rainfall has contributed to an overall reduction in hotspot counts and improved the smoke haze situation in the sub-region. Elevated hotspot activity and transboundary haze may still occur over the northern parts of the Mekong sub-region where periods of relatively drier conditions are forecast.

A total of 106 and 108 hotspots were detected in the Mekong sub-region on 13 April 2025 and 14 April 2025 respectively from the NOAA-20 satellite. The overall hotspot and smoke haze situation in the Mekong sub-region is expected to improve as more rainfall is forecast across the sub-region in the coming weeks.

Activation of Alert Level 2 for the Mekong sub-region

The ongoing dry weather over the Mekong sub-region has led to a rise in hotspot and smoke haze activity in recent weeks. Based on satellite surveillance, moderate to dense smoke haze was observed to emit from clusters of hotspots detected in parts of Cambodia. Isolated hotspots with smoke plumes have also been detected elsewhere in the Mekong sub-region. A total of 502 and 320 hotspots were detected in the Mekong sub-region on 18 and 19 January 2025 respectively from the NOAA-20 satellite.

The prevailing winds are forecast to strengthen and blow from the northeast or east in the coming weeks, while the current dry weather conditions are expected to intensify. Under these conditions, the hotspot and smoke haze situation could worsen with an increased risk of transboundary smoke haze occurrence.

Downgrade to Alert Level 2 for the Mekong Sub-Region

Shower activities have started to increase in the Mekong sub-region under inter-monsoon conditions, particularly in eastern and central areas. The increased rainfall has contributed to a reduction in hotspot counts and extent of transboundary smoke haze in the sub-region. Higher hotspot counts and continued smoke haze activity are still likely over northern and western parts of Mekong sub-region where drier conditions are forecast to persist.

A total of 354 and 337 hotspots were detected in the Mekong sub-region on 4 May 2024 and 5 May 2024 respectively from the NOAA-20 satellite. The overall hotspot and smoke haze situation in the Mekong sub-region is expected to continue to improve as rainfall becomes more widespread across the sub-region in the coming weeks.

Activation of Alert Level 2 for the Mekong sub-region

Persistent dry weather conditions over the Mekong sub-region have contributed to an escalation in hotspot and smoke haze activity in recent weeks. Based on satellite surveillance, moderate smoke haze was observed to emit from clusters of hotspots detected in the northern and eastern parts of Cambodia, as well as the western parts of Thailand. Isolated hotspots with smoke plumes were also detected elsewhere in the Mekong sub-region. A total of 248 and 875 hotspots were detected in the Mekong sub-region on 5 and 6 February 2024 respectively from the NOAA-20 satellite.

The prevailing winds are forecast to strengthen and blow from the northeast or east in the coming weeks, while the current dry weather conditions are expected to intensify. Under these conditions, the hotspot and smoke haze situation could worsen with an increased risk of transboundary smoke haze occurrence.

Activation of Alert Level 2 for Sumatra

Over the past week, extended dry weather conditions have become more widespread across the southern ASEAN region, which contributed to an increase in the number of hotspots in the region. Based on surveillance from the NOAA-20 satellite, 241 and 145 hotspots were detected in Sumatra on 27 and 28 September 2023 respectively. Moderate to dense smoke haze was observed to emanate from clusters of hotspots detected in central and southern parts of Sumatra.

While some isolated showers are forecast for Sumatra in the coming days, dry weather is expected to persist in parts of central and southern Sumatra, with the prevailing winds likely to continue blowing from the southeast or southwest. Under these conditions, the hotspot and smoke haze situation there could worsen, with an increased risk of transboundary smoke haze occurrence.

Activation of Alert Level 2 for Kalimantan

In recent days, prevailing dry weather conditions over the southern ASEAN region have resulted in an escalation in hotspot and smoke haze activities. Based on satellite surveillance, moderate smoke haze was observed to emanate from clusters of hotspots detected in the western and southern parts of Kalimantan. In particuar, transboundary haze was observed to drift northwards from the hotspot clusters in West Kalimantan into western Sarawak in East Malaysia. 359 and 393 hotspots were detected in Kalimantan on 26 and 27 July 2023 respectively from the NOAA-20 satellite.

The prevailing dry weather conditions are forecast to continue over Kalimantan in the coming days, with the prevailing winds likely to blow from the southeast or southwest. Under these conditions, the hotspot and smoke haze situation could worsen with an increased risk of transboundary smoke haze occurrence.

Downgrade to Alert Level 2 for the Mekong Sub-Region

In recent days, increased rainfall has helped to improve the overall hotspot and smoke haze situation over the Mekong sub-region. This has helped to reduce the extent of transboundary smoke haze in the sub-region, although elevated hotspot and smoke haze activity is still expected mainly in the drier areas of the northern and western sub-region.

A total of 919 and 676 hotspots were detected in the Mekong sub-region on 22 and 23 April 2023 respectively from the NOAA-20 satellite. As more rainfall is forecast in the coming weeks, the hotspot and haze situation over the sub-region is expected to further improve.

Activation of Alert Level 2 for the Mekong Sub-region

In recent days, prevailing dry weather conditions over the Mekong sub-region have resulted in an increase in hotspot activities. Based on satellite surveillance, moderate smoke haze was observed to emit from clusters of hotspots detected in the northern and eastern parts of Cambodia, as well as northern parts of Myanmar. Isolated hotspots with smoke plumes were also detected elsewhere in the Mekong sub-region. A total of 757 and 403 hotspots were detected in the Mekong sub-region on 25 and 26 January 2023 respectively from the NOAA-20 satellite.

Dry weather conditions are forecast to continue over the Mekong sub-region in the coming weeks, with prevailing winds likely to blow from the northeast or east. Under these conditions, the hotspot and smoke haze situation could worsen with an increased risk of transboundary smoke haze development.