Category Archives: Haze Review

CR58

May 9, 2025

Review of Regional Haze Situation for April 2025

1.1 During April 2025, the Northeast Monsoon transitioned into the Inter-monsoon conditions as the monsoon band shifted northwards towards the Equator. The period was characterized by the light and variable winds across most of the ASEAN region, except over the Philippines where the prevailing winds blew mostly from the northeast or east (Figure 1).

1.2 Despite increased rainfall over the Mekong sub-region compared to the previous month, drier weather persisted over much of the Mekong sub-region and the northern parts of the Philippines (Figure 1). Given the increased in showers which can improve the hotspot and smoke haze situation, the Alert level for the Mekong sub-region was downgraded to Alert level 2 on 15 April 2025. While showers continued to prevail over the southern ASEAN region, drier conditions were observed over parts of Java towards the end of April 2025 (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Average Daily Rainfall and Mean Winds for April 2025. (Source: JAXA GsMaP and GFS, respectively)

1.3 The hotspot counts for the ASEAN region in April 2025 were lower than or comparable to those of previous years (Figure 2, 3).

Figure 2: Hotspot counts for the northern ASEAN region for April (2021-2025) based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

Figure 3: Hotspot counts for the southern ASEAN region for April (2021-2025) based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

1.4 Over the Mekong sub-region, scattered to widespread hotspots were detected, especially over the northern parts of the sub-region and the other parts of Lao PDR, where the hotspot clusters were more persistent and intense (Figures 4, 5). Persistent moderate to dense transboundary smoke haze were observed over the northern parts of the Mekong sub-region, as well as the other parts of Lao PDR (Figure 6, 7). In contrast, the southern ASEAN region and the Philippines, experienced low hotspot activity (Figure 6), though slight localised smoke plumes were observed emanating from hotspots detected in the central parts of Sumatra and the eastern parts of Kalimantan (Figure 8).

Figure 4: Distribution of hotspots detected in April 2025 based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

Figure 5: Maximum fire intensity in April 2025 based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

Figure 6: Number of days with moderate to dense smoke haze observed in April 2025 based on satellite imagery, ground observations, and air quality reports.

Figure 7: Moderate to dense transboundary smoke haze observed over many areas of Myanmar, as well as the northern parts of Thailand, Lao PDR and Viet Nam on 4 April 2025. (Source: Himawari-9 satellite surveillance)

Figure 8: A slight localised smoke plume observed emanating from a hotspot in the eastern parts of Kalimantan on 27 April 2025. (Source: Himawari-9 satellite surveillance)

April 2, 2025

Review of Regional Haze Situation for March 2025

1.1 During March 2025, the ASEAN region remained under the influence of Northeast Monsoon conditions. Over areas north of the Equator, the surface winds blew predominantly from the northeast or east, apart from the Mekong sub-region where the prevailing winds were generally light and variable in direction. The prevailing low-level winds over areas south of the Equator blew from the west or northwest, while the winds over the equatorial region were light and variable in direction (Figure 1).

1.2 Dry weather persisted over much of the Mekong sub-region and the northern parts of the Philippines (Figure 1). In view of the escalating number of hotspots and the deterioration of the smoke haze situation under the prolonged dry conditions, Alert level 3 for the Mekong sub-region was activated on 17 March 2025, signalling a high risk of severe transboundary haze occurrence. Meanwhile, over the southern ASEAN region, high rainfall was recorded over most parts of the region, especially over the equatorial region, partly due to a Northeast Monsoon surge in the middle of the month (Figure 1), which has led to flooding over parts of Johor, Malaysia. However, drier conditions were also recorded over the northern and central parts of Peninsular Malaysia.

Figure 1: Average Daily Rainfall and Mean Winds for March 2025. (Source: JAXA GsMaP and GFS, respectively)

1.3 The hotspot counts for the ASEAN region in March 2025 were generally similar to or lower than those of previous years, except for Myanmar where there was a slight increase from the previous few years (Figure 2, 3).

Figure 2: Hotspot counts for the northern ASEAN region for March (2021-2025) based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

Figure 3: Hotspot counts for the southern ASEAN region for March (2021-2025) based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

1.4 Scattered to widespread hotspots were detected in the Mekong sub-region, especially over the northern parts of the Mekong sub-region, as well as the southern parts of Lao PDR and the northeastern parts of Cambodia, where the hotspot clusters were more persistent and intense (Figures 4, 5). Widespread transboundary moderate to dense smoke haze was observed mainly over the northern parts of the Mekong sub-region, as well as the southern parts of Lao PDR and the northeastern parts of Cambodia, where the haze was persistent (Figure 6, 7, 8). Over the southern ASEAN region and the Philippines, the hotspot and smoke haze situation remained subdued (Figure 6).

Figure 4: Distribution of hotspots detected in March 2025 based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

Figure 5: Maximum fire intensity in March 2025 based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

Figure 6: Number of days with moderate to dense smoke haze observed in March 2025 based on satellite imagery, ground observations, and air quality reports.

Figure 7: Moderate to dense smoke plumes observed over the southern parts of Lao PDR, the eastern parts of Thailand, the northern and eastern parts of Cambodia, as well as the southern parts of Viet Nam on 1 March 2025. (Source: Himawari-9 satellite surveillance)

Figure 8: Moderate to dense transboundary smoke plumes were observed drifting in the north to northeast direction across many areas of Myanmar, as well as the northern parts of Thailand, Lao PDR and Viet Nam on 28 March 2025. (Source: Himawari-9 satellite surveillance)

March 13, 2025

Review of Regional Haze Situation for February 2025

1.1 Northeast monsoon conditions prevailed throughout February 2025. The prevailing low-level winds generally blew from the northeast or east over areas north of the Equator, except over the Mekong sub-region where the prevailing winds were light and variable in direction (Figure 1). Over areas south of the Equator, the prevailing low-level winds blew from the west or northwest which gradually weakened to become light and variable in direction towards the end of the month.

1.2 Dry conditions continued over most areas of the Mekong sub-region and the northern parts of the Philippines. Relatively drier conditions were also observed over some parts of Peninsular Malaysia under the influence of the dry phase of the Northeast Monsoon. Higher rainfall was recorded over the rest of the ASEAN region, particularly over the southern parts of the Philippines and Sumatra where rainfall was more intense (Figure 1). Flooding and landslides were reported over parts of Indonesia and the Philippines, causing infrastructural damage and displacing people from homes.

Figure 1: Average Daily Rainfall and Mean Winds for February 2025. (Source: JAXA GsMaP and GFS, respectively)

1.3 The overall hotspot counts for the ASEAN region in February 2025 were lower than or comparable to those in the same period in previous years (Figures 2 & 3).

Figure 2: Hotspot counts for the southern ASEAN region for February (2021-2025) based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

Figure 3: Hotspot counts for the northern ASEAN region for February (2021-2025) based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

1.4 Scattered to widespread hotspots were detected in the northern and central parts of Myanmar, the central parts of Thailand, the southern parts of Lao PDR, and many parts of Cambodia. Isolated to scattered hotspots were detected elsewhere in the northern ASEAN region (Figure 4). Many hotspots detected in the Mekong sub-region were persistent and intense (Figures 4 & 5). This led to the development of moderate to dense smoke haze over the sub-region, particularly over the southern parts of Lao PDR, the northern and central parts of Thailand as well as most parts of Cambodia and Myanmar where the smoke haze was persistent (Figure 6 & 7). Some of this smoke haze became transboundary due to the prevailing wind conditions (Figure 7). Flight disruptions at airports due to smoke haze were reported in Thailand.

1.5 In the southern ASEAN region, the hotspot and smoke haze situation was generally subdued, with a few hotspots detected in parts of Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, Kalimantan and Sulawesi on a few days. Occasional slight localised smoke plumes were observed from hotspots detected in Sumatra.

Figure 4: Distribution of hotspots detected in February 2025 based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

Figure 5: Maximum fire intensity in February 2025 based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

Figure 6: Number of days with moderate to dense smoke haze observed in February 2025 based on satellite imagery, ground observations, and air quality reports.

Figure 7: Transboundary smoke haze over parts of Lao PDR, Cambodia and Viet Nam on 6 February 2025. (Source: NOAA-20 satellite surveillance)

Figure 8: Transboundary smoke haze over parts of Lao PDR, and the northern parts of Thailand on 17 February 2025. (Source: NOAA-20 satellite surveillance)

February 6, 2025

Review of Regional Haze Situation for January 2025

1.1 Northeast Monsoon conditions persisted over the ASEAN region in January 2025. During this month, the prevailing low-level winds over regions north of the Equator blew mostly from the northeast or east, except over the northern parts of the Mekong sub-region, where the winds were light and variable in direction. Meanwhile, the prevailing low-level winds over regions south of the Equator blew mainly from the west or northwest (Figure 1).

1.2 As the dry conditions persisted with a gradually increasing number of hotspots since December 2024, Alert Level 1 for the onset of the dry season for the northern ASEAN region was issued on 2 January 2025. Thereafter, under the persisting dry conditions, the hotspot and smoke haze situation over the Mekong sub-region escalated with a heightened risk of transboundary smoke haze occurrence, and Alert Level 2 for the Mekong sub-region was activated on 20 January 2025. Showers were observed elsewhere in the ASEAN region, except for parts of the northern Philippines where there were brief periods of drier weather (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Average Daily Rainfall and Mean Winds for January 2025. (Source: JAXA GsMaP and GFS, respectively)

1.3 The overall hotspot counts for the ASEAN region in January 2025 were generally lower than or comparable to hotspot counts recorded for the same period in previous years (Figures 2 and 3).

Figure 2: Hotspot counts for the southern ASEAN region for January (2021-2025) based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

Figure 3: Hotspot counts for the northern ASEAN region for January (2021-2025) based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

1.4 Isolated to scattered hotspots were detected in the Mekong sub-region (Figure 4) and the Philippines. Persistent clusters of hotspots, some of which were intense, with moderate to dense smoke plumes were observed consistently in many parts of Cambodia and central Thailand (Figures 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9). Moderate smoke haze was also observed in the northern parts of Thailand, most of Myanmar, as well as the northern and southern parts of Lao PDR (Figures 6, 7 and 8). Towards the end of the month, smoke haze emanating from hotspots detected in the western parts of Cambodia was observed drifting westwards into the central parts of Thailand.

Figure 4: Distribution of hotspots detected in January 2025 based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

Figure 5: Maximum fire intensity in January 2025 based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

Figure 6: Number of days with moderate to dense smoke haze observed in January 2025 based on satellite imagery, ground observations, and air quality reports.

Figure 7: Moderate to dense smoke plumes were observed in the northern and eastern parts of Cambodia on 26 January 2025 (Source: Himawari-9 satellite surveillance.)

Figure 8: Moderate smoke plumes were observed in the northern and central parts of Thailand on 26 January 2025 (Source: Himawari-9 satellite surveillance.)

Figure 9: Moderate smoke plumes were observed in the northern, western and southern parts of Cambodia on 30 January 2025 (Source: NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.)

January 7, 2025

Review of Regional Haze Situation for December 2024

1.1 In December 2024, Northeast monsoon was well established over the ASEAN region as the prevailing low-level winds over most areas north of the Equator blew from the northeast or east except for the northern parts of the Mekong sub-region where the prevailing low-level winds were light and variable in direction. Over the areas south of the Equator, the prevailing low-level winds blew mainly from the west or northwest. (Figure 1).

1.2 Dry conditions were observed over most parts of the Mekong sub-region except for the coastal areas in the southern parts of Viet Nam where showers occurred (Figure 1). Wet weather was observed over rest of the ASEAN region with intense rainfall recorded over southern Thailand and the eastern coastal areas of Peninsular Malaysia (Figure 1). Intense rainfall was also recorded in the eastern parts of the Philippines (Figure 1) under the influence of Tropical Depression Querubin.

Figure 1: Average Daily Rainfall and Mean Winds for December 2024. (Source: JAXA GsMaP and GFS, respectively)

1.3 The overall hotspot counts in December 2024 over the ASEAN region were generally lower than or comparable to previous years.

Figure 2: Hotspot counts for the southern ASEAN region for December (2020-2024) based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

Figure 3: Hotspot counts for the northern ASEAN region for December (2020-2024) based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

1.4 During the review period, isolated to scattered hotspots were detected in the Mekong sub-region (Figure 4 and 5). While most of the hotspots were short-lived, some were persistent and intense. A few slight localised smoke plumes were also observed to emanate from some hotspots detected in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Thailand (Figure 6). Although a few to isolated hotspots were detected in Sumatra and Kalimantan, the hotspot activities were generally subdued over the southern ASEAN region (Figure 4 and 5).

Figure 4: Distribution of hotspots detected in December 2024 based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

Figure 5: Maximum fire intensity in December 2024 based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

Figure 6: Slight localised smoke plumes observed over northern and western Cambodia on 18 December 2024, based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance. (Source: NOAA-20 satellite surveillance)

December 11, 2024

Review of Regional Haze Situation for November 2024

1.1 Northeast monsoon conditions emerged over the ASEAN region during November 2024 as the prevailing low-level winds over the Mekong sub-region, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines blew from the northeast or east. Light and variable winds were still observed over areas south of the Equator and the northern parts of the Mekong sub-region (Figure 1).

1.2 Drier conditions were observed over most parts of the Mekong sub-region except for isolated showers recorded over Myanmar and the southern parts of Viet Nam. Showers were observed over most parts of the southern ASEAN region with intense rainfall recorded over southern Thailand and the eastern coastal regions of Peninsular Malaysia where floodings were reported (Figure 1). Intense rainfall was also recorded in the northern parts of the Philippines under the influence of multiple Typhoons and Super Typhoons which led to floodings and landslides in the area.

Figure 1: Average Daily Rainfall and Mean Winds for November 2024. (Source: JAXA GsMaP and GFS, respectively)

1.3 The overall hotspot counts in 2024 over the ASEAN region were lower than or comparable to previous years, except for Viet Nam where the hotspot count was slightly higher.

Figure 2: Hotspot counts for the southern ASEAN region for November (2020-2024) based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

Figure 3: Hotspot counts for the northern ASEAN region for November (2020-2024) based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

1.4 Persistent isolated hotspots were mostly detected in the central parts of Thailand and Myanmar, as well as the northern and central parts of Viet Nam.

Figure 4: Distribution of hotspots detected in November 2024 based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

Figure 5: Maximum fire intensity in November 2024 based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

November 8, 2024

Review of Regional Haze Situation for October 2024

1.1 In October 2024, the Southeast Monsoon transitioned to the inter-monsoon conditions. As the monsoon rainband shifted towards the Equator, the winds over the equatorial regions became light and variable in direction (Figure 1). However, strong winds affected the northern parts of the Philippines at times, driven by Tropical Storm Trami and Super Typhoon Kong-Rey (Figures 8 and 9).

1.2 Showers prevailed over most of the ASEAN region in October 2024, apart from Java, the Lesser Sunda Islands and the northern and central parts of the Mekong sub-region where conditions were relatively drier (Figure 1). On 14 October 2024, ASMC downgraded the Alert Level for the southern ASEAN region from Level 1 to Level 0, following increased shower activity, marking the end of the dry season of the region. Towards the end of the month, heavy rainfall affected the northern and central parts of the Philippines, influenced by Tropical Storm Trami and Typhoon Kong-Rey, which were located over the northern South China Sea and the northwestern Pacific Ocean, respectively (Figures 8 and 9).

Figure 1: Average Daily Rainfall and Mean Winds for October 2024. (Source: JAXA GsMaP and GFS, respectively)

1.3 Over the ASEAN region, hotspot counts in October 2024 were generally comparable or lower than the same month of previous years (Figure 2 and 3) except in Thailand where the highest hotspot counts over the past five years was recorded. Despite this, the overall hotspot activity in the northern ASEAN region remained relatively low compared to previous years.

Figure 2: Hotspot counts for the southern ASEAN region for October (2020-2024) based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

Figure 3: Hotspot counts for the northern ASEAN region for October (2020-2024) based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

1.4 During the second half of October 2024, persistent and intense hotspots were detected mostly in the central and southern parts of Sumatra, the central and southeastern parts of Kalimantan and parts of Sulawesi and the Lesser Sunda Islands (Figure 4 and 5). Slight localised smoke plumes were observed to emanate from hotspots detected in the southeastern parts of Kalimantan and the southern parts of Sumatra (Figure 6 and 7).

Figure 4: Distribution of hotspots detected in October 2024 based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

Figure 5: Maximum fire intensity in October 2024 based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

Figure 6: Slight localised smoke plumes were observed to emanate from a few hotspots in the southeastern parts of Kalimantan on 27 October 2024. (Source: NOAA-20 satellite surveillance)

Figure 7: Slight localised smoke plume was observed to emanate from a few hotspots over the southern parts of Sumatra on 29 October 2024. (Source: NOAA-20 satellite surveillance)

Figure 8: Tropical Storm Trami over the northern parts of the South China Sea (Source: AQUA satellite surveillance)

Figure 9: Typhoon Kong-Rey over the western Pacific Ocean (Source: NOAA-21 satellite surveillance)

October 8, 2024

Review of Regional Haze Situation for September 2024

1.1 Southwest Monsoon conditions persisted in September 2024 as the prevailing winds blew mainly from the southeast over areas south of the Equator and turned to blow from the southwest or west over areas north of the Equator (Figure 1).

1.2 Rainy conditions prevailed over most parts of the ASEAN region in September 2024, except for parts of Kalimantan, Sumatra, Java and the Lesser Sunda Islands which saw occasional dry weather . The month was marked by the occurrences of multiple tropical cyclones/typhoon, with Typhoon Yagi being the most notable one, which formed during the first week of the review period, and later Tropical Storm Soulik , which formed during the middle of the month. Heavy rain and strong winds brought by the storms affected large parts of northern Philippines and the northern parts of Viet Nam as they made landfall over both countries, resulting in significant damage to infrastructures and loss of life (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Average Daily Rainfall and Mean Winds for September 2024. (Source: JAXA GsMaP and GFS, respectively)

1.3 In September 2024, overall hotspot activity in the southern ASEAN region were generally comparable to previous years. Over Kalimantan, the hotspot counts in 2024 were as high as in 2023 (Figure 2) . For the northern ASEAN region, hotspot counts were lower or comparable to the same period in previous years (Figure 3).

Figure 2: Hotspot counts for the southern ASEAN region for September (2020-2024) based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

Figure 3: Hotspot counts for the northern ASEAN region for September (2020-2024) based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

1.4 Isolated to scattered hotspots were detected in Sumatra, Kalimantan, Java and the Lesser Sunda Islands on multiple days during the review period, with more intense and persistent hotspots located mostly in Kalimantan (Figure 4 and 5). Slight to moderate smoke haze was observed over parts of West Kalimantan, while localised smoke plumes were seen emanating from hotspots in other parts of Kalimantan, as well as from hotspots in the central and southern parts of Sumatra (Figure 6, 7 and 8). Smoke haze from West Kalimantan was also observed to drift into western Sarawak on some days during the review period. While the hotspot activity in the Mekong sub-region was suppressed, isolated hotspots were detected mostly in the central parts of Viet Nam (Figure 4 and 5).

Figure 4: Distribution of hotspots detected in September 2024 based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

Figure 5: Maximum fire intensity in September 2024 based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

Figure 6: Number of days with moderate to dense smoke haze observed in Septmeber 2024 based on satellite imagery, ground observations, and air quality reports.

Figure 7: Slight to moderate smoke haze were observed over clusters of hotspots in the western parts of Kalimantan on 2 September 2024. (Source: Himawari-9 satellite surveillance)

Figure 8: Slight to moderate localised smoke plumes were observed over hotspots in the eastern parts of Kalimantan on 13 September 2024. (Source: Himawari-9 satellite surveillance)

September 23, 2024

Review of Regional Haze Situation for August 2024

1.1 1.1 Southwest Monsoon conditions prevailed over the ASEAN region in August 2024. The prevailing winds over regions south of the Equator blew mainly from the southeast while the prevailing winds over areas north of the equator blew mainly from southwest to west, with winds turning southerly near the Equator (Figure 1). With the occurrence of Tropical Storms and Typhoons mainly over the northwestern Pacific Ocean, winds over the northern parts of the Philippines would occasionally blow from the east.

1.2 It was a generally wet August with rainfall observed over most areas of the ASEAN region, with higher rainfall over the northern parts of the Mekong sub-region, Sumatra and Borneo and parts of the Philippines and Papua. Flooding and landslides were reported in multiple areas of Thailand during the month (Figure 1). In contrast, drier conditions were observed over Java, the Lesser Sunda Islands, Sulawesi as well as the southern parts of Sumatra (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Average Daily Rainfall and Mean Winds for August 2024. (Source: JAXA GsMaP and GFS, respectively)

1.3 During August 2024, the hotspot count in the ASEAN region was comparable to that of previous years (Figure 2 and 3), except for Viet Nam where the hotspot count in August 2024 is the highest compared to the same month of previous years (Figure 2).

Figure 2: Hotspot counts for the southern ASEAN region for August (2020-2024) based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

Figure 3: Hotspot counts for the northern ASEAN region for August (2020-2024) based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

1.4 In August 2024, isolated to scattered hotspots were mainly detected in parts of the southern ASEAN region, particularly in Java, the Lesser Sunda Islands, the southern parts of Sumatra and the western parts of Kalimantan where hotspot persistency and fire intensity were more pronounced (Figure 4 and 5). Slight to moderate smoke haze was observed over the western parts of Kalimantan, while smoke plumes were observed over the southern parts of Sumatra (Figure 6). While the hotspot activity in the Mekong sub-region was suppressed, isolated hotspots with high persistency and intensity were detected mostly in the central parts of Viet Nam (Figure 4 and 5).

Figure 4: Distribution of hotspots detected in August 2024 based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

Figure 5: Maximum fire intensity in August 2024 based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

Figure 6: Number of days with moderate to dense smoke haze observed in August 2024 based on satellite imagery, ground observations, and air quality reports.

August 6, 2024

Review of Regional Haze Situation for July 2024

1.1 In July 2024, the Southwest Monsoon conditions continued over the ASEAN region. Over the northern ASEAN region, the prevailing winds blew mostly from the southwest to west. In the southern ASEAN region, the prevailing winds over areas near the Equatorial region were observed to be generally weak and variable in direction while southeasterly winds were observed over the rest of the region (Figure 1).

1.2 Showers were observed over most of the ASEAN region during the review period, apart from Java and the Lesser Sunda Islands where dry conditions were observed (Figure 1). Parts of Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, and Kalimantan also experienced drier conditions during the latter half of the review period. On 17 July 2024, the Alert Level 1 for the southern ASEAN region was activated, signalling the start of the traditional dry season for the region. Over the northern ASEAN region, heavy rainfall was recorded over the northern parts of the Philippines due to the influence of Tropical Storm Prapiroon and Typhoon Gaemi situated over the northern parts of the South China Sea and the northwest Pacific Ocean respectively during the latter half of July (Figure 9 and 10). Rainfall was also observed to be high over the western coastal areas of Myanmar (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Average Daily Rainfall and Mean Winds for July 2024. (Source: JAXA GsMaP and GFS, respectively)

1.3 Over the southern ASEAN region, the hotspot counts were generally lower or comparable to previous years, except for the hotspot counts in Sumatra which was the highest compared to the past 5 years (Figure 2). Nonetheless, the hotspot activity for the southern ASEAN region remained relatively low compared to other parts of the year. Over the northern ASEAN region, the hotspot counts were lower or comparable to the past few years (Figure 3).

Figure 2: Hotspot counts for the southern ASEAN region for July (2020-2024) based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

Figure 3: Hotspot counts for the northern ASEAN region for July (2020-2024) based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

1.4 Hotspot activities were intense and persistent especially in the western parts of Kalimantan and parts of Sumatra towards the end of July 2024 (Figure 4). Slight to moderate localised smoke plumes were observed to emanate from hotspots detected in the western and central parts of Kalimantan and parts of Sumatra (Figure 5, 6, 7 and 8).

Figure 4: Distribution of hotspots detected in July 2024 based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

Figure 5: Maximum fire intensity in July 2024 based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

Figure 6: Number of days with moderate to dense smoke haze observed in July 2024 based on satellite imagery, ground observations, and air quality reports.

Figure 7: Slight localised smoke plumes were observed to emanate from a few hotspots in the western parts of Kalimantan on 26 July 2024. (Source: Himawari-9 satellite surveillance)

Figure 8: Slight localised smoke plumes were observed to emanate from a few hotspots over the central parts of Sumatra on 28 July 2024. (Source: Himawari-9 satellite surveillance)

Figure 9: Tropical Storm Prapiroon over the northern parts of the South China Sea (Source: NOAA-20 satellite surveillance)

Figure 10: Typhoon Gaemi over the western Pacific Ocean (Source: NOAA-20 satellite surveillance)