Latest news with #AseanSpecialisedMeteorologicalCentre
The Star
21 hours ago
- Climate
- The Star
Borneo region hotspots cause haze in Brunei
File photo shows vehicles along a hazy road. - RAFI ROSLI BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Brunei Darussalam is experiencing a hazy condition due to the predominant hotspots in the Borneo region and brought over by the southwesterly wind towards the sultanate, the Brunei Darussalam Meteorological Department stated yesterday (July 27). The satellite imagery from the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) detected 171 hotspots on July 24, 112 hotspots on July 25 and 105 hotspots on July 26, scattered mostly in the southern and western part of Borneo. The department forecast the amount of rainfall for July to be below the normal value. During this period the weather is expected to be hot and dry with the daily maximum temperature reaching between 34 degrees Celsius to 37°C. Hazy conditions often occur during the Southwest monsoon period. The Pollutant Standard Index (PSI) readings recorded from air quality monitoring stations (Particulate Matter 10) in the four districts were relatively higher than normal. The air quality in Brunei was at good to moderate level. The highest Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) readings recorded yesterday between 7am and 4pm are: Brunei-Muara registered a PSI of 30, Belait recorded 36 and Temburong had the lowest reading at 11—all falling under the 'Good' air quality category. Tutong, however, recorded a PSI of 54, placing it in the 'Moderate' air quality range. PSI reading below 50 is good while PSI between 50 and 100 is moderate. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health advised the public that at moderate PSI readings (between 50 and 100), minor health effects such as coughs, eye irritations and runny nose may occur. Persons with asthma, lung and heart diseases, pregnant women, children, the elderly and those with dust allergies are advised to reduce outdoor physical activities. Those experiencing persistent or worsening respiratory symptoms such as coughs, shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing are advised to seek medical treatment at the nearest health centres. The Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation will keep the public informed of the air quality. The public is advised to contact the Fire and Rescue Department at 995 for bush and forest fires. The public should also refrain from open burning activities and other actions that may worsen the haze conditions during the dry period. The public can contact the Darussalam Hotline 123 for complaints on open burning activities or for health information and advice. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
The Star
2 days ago
- Climate
- The Star
Unhealthy air quality recorded in Miri and Cheras, 60 areas nationwide at moderate levels
PETALING JAYA: Two areas in Kuala Lumpur have recorded unhealthy air quality, while 60 others nationwide are experiencing moderate levels. According to the Environment Department's Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS), as of 12.33pm on Sunday (July 27), Miri registered the highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading at 131, followed by Cheras at 118. On Saturday (July 26), Johan Setia in Selangor and Kuching in Sarawak recorded unhealthy API readings of 151 and 116 respectively. However, the air quality has since improved to 83 and 79. Sixty monitoring stations across Selangor, Perak, Kuala Lumpur, Negri Sembilan, Sarawak, Putrajaya, Sabah, Pahang, Terengganu, Johor, Labuan, Penang, Malacca, Kedah and Kelantan reported moderate air quality. Among these, Petaling Jaya recorded the highest API at 87, while Sandakan and Kota Tinggi registered the lowest at 51. On the API scale, 0 to 50 is considered good, 51 to 100 (moderate), 101 to 200 (unhealthy), 201 to 300 (very unhealthy) and above 300 (hazardous). Meanwhile, the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) reported that dry conditions continue to affect the southern Asean region, raising concerns over potential trans-boundary haze, particularly from Indonesia. Dry conditions are forecast to persist over much of South-East Asia, with some showers expected in parts of Sumatra, Java and Kalimantan. Rainfall may temporarily ease the situation, hotspots and smoke haze are still likely to occur in drier areas. Prevailing winds in the southern region are expected to blow from the southeast to south, which may contribute to the spread of trans-boundary haze.
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Climate
- Borneo Post
Transboundary haze from Kalimantan affects Sarawak; API readings remain moderate
Hazy conditions are seen in Kuching on July 24, 2025. — Photo by Roystein Emmor KUCHING (July 27): Moderate transboundary smoke haze was observed to blow northwards from western Kalimantan to western Sarawak, the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) reported yesterday. The Centre said moderate smoke plumes were also observed in southern and eastern Kalimantan and western Sarawak. Scattered hotspots were detected in northern and western Borneo while isolated hotspots were detected mainly in the northern and southern parts of Sumatra. ASMC said dry conditions were observed over many parts of the southern Asean region yesterday with the exception of showers observed over parts of central Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia. For the northern Asean region, widespread showers were observed and hotspot activities remain subdued, it added. Wet weather is forecast to continue over most parts of the northern Asean region with increased showers expected over northern Philippines. Given this, ASMC said hotspot and haze activities are expected to remain low over the region. 'The prevailing winds over the northern Asean region are forecast to blow mainly from the southwest,' added the Centre. According to the Department of Environment's Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS), Sarawak recorded moderate air quality across all monitored areas as of 8am today. Miri had the highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading at 98, followed by Kuching (81), Samarahan (78), Bintulu (77), Sri Aman (75), Serian (73), Sarikei (69), Sibu (65), Kapit (65) and Mukah (64). Under Malaysia's API classification, a reading between 51 and 100 is considered moderate while 101 to 200 is categorised as unhealthy.
Borneo Post
3 days ago
- Climate
- Borneo Post
Haze in Sarawak not from us, West Kalimantan governor clarifies
Ria (left) speaks to reporters at the event in Pontianak. — Photo by Kentigern Minggu PONTIANAK (July 26): The current haze affecting parts of Sarawak does not originate from West Kalimantan, said its governor Drs H Ria Norsan, who assured that air quality in the province remains manageable. Speaking at the launch of AirAsia's new travel routes during the Sarawak Travel Fair at Ayani Megamall here this evening, Ria said fire hotspots in West Kalimantan are being closely monitored and extinguished swiftly. 'As for the haze in West Kalimantan, it is still under control. The situation here is manageable,' he said, adding that most hotspots are currently in Riau Province on the Indonesian mainland. He noted that satellite monitoring by local authorities enables rapid response to fire outbreaks. 'If there's a significant flare-up, we take immediate action to extinguish it. Hopefully, our efforts will continue to keep the situation in West Kalimantan under control,' he added. According to the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC), hotspot activity across Kalimantan peaked at around 150 on July 24, before dropping to under 100 on July 25. The ASMC tracks cumulative hotspots across Kalimantan, Sumatra, Sabah, Sarawak, and Peninsular Malaysia. Drs H Ria Norsan haze lead West Kalimantan
Borneo Post
3 days ago
- Climate
- Borneo Post
Haze: Localised smoke plumes detected in Sarawak, west Kalimantan, says ASMC
Hazy conditions are seen in Kuching on July 24, 2025. — Photo by Roystein Emmor KUCHING (July 26): Localised smoke plumes have been detected over Sarawak and western Kalimantan today, according to the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC). Satellite imagery from ASMC also showed hotspots in Mukah, with isolated hotspots identified in Sumatra and Kalimantan. 'The hotspots and haze situation over the northern Asean region was observed to remain subdued. 'Dry weather is expected to continue over parts of the southern Asean region with the exception of showers forecast over parts of Sumatra, Java, as well as the southern and eastern parts of Kalimantan in the coming days,' said ASMC in its website ASMC noted that while the showers may ease hotspot and haze activity, localised smoke plumes and isolated hotspots could still emerge in areas experiencing prolonged dry spells. There also remains a chance of transboundary haze. 'The prevailing winds in the southern Asean region are forecast to blow mainly from the southeast to south,' it added. As at 8am today, Lundu recorded an unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 113, while the rest of Sarawak reported moderate air quality, with Kuching at 98, Samarahan at 90, and Bintulu at 80. API readings between 51 and 100 are considered moderate, while readings from 101 to 200 are classified as unhealthy. Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre ASMC haze hotspots lead
