Transboundary Haze From Southern ASEAN Countries Reaches Philippines - ASMC

By Anas Abu Hassan

SINGAPORE, Sept 1 (NNN) -- Haze conditions in southern ASEAN have reached the Philippines after moderate transboundary smoke plumes were detected in parts of Palawan and Panay, the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) said. 

In its daily weather and haze report, ASMC said moderate to dense transboundary smoke plumes covered North, West and Central Kalimantan, Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei, and the Philippines.

"Moderate to dense smoke plumes were observed to emit from hotspot clusters in other parts of Kalimantan and the southern parts of Sumatra. 

"Moderate smoke haze was also observed over the central parts of Sumatra," it said on Tuesday. 

ASMC said air quality stations in the northern and southeastern parts of Borneo and the southern parts of Sumatra continue to report unhealthy to hazardous levels. 

It also warned that most of the southern ASEAN region is likely to remain dry in the next few days.

"Under prolonged dry conditions, the hotspot and smoke haze situation is expected to remain elevated over fire-prone areas, with a continued risk of severe transboundary haze occurrence," it added. 

-- NNN-BERNAMA