ASEAN Secretariat CSU - The report is compiled by the ASEAN Secretariat based on feedback from relevant ASEAN Member Countries and will be updated on a regular basis -

Report of Current Situation

Isolated showers/thunderstorms affecting both Sumatra and Kalimantan. Many hotspots were detected in central Sumatra. Isolated hot spots were detected in the eastern part of Kalimantan.

On 20 September, NOAA 12 detected 1 hotspot in South Kalimantan, and 32 hotspots in East Kalimantan. In Sumatra the satellite detected 17 hotspots in Jambi, 55 hotspots in Riau, 6 hotpots in West Sumatra, 3 hotspots in South Sumatra and 5 hotspots in North Sumatra Provinces. The National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN) predicted that there are chances of rain over most parts of Sumatra. LAPAN also predicted that showers are likely this afternoon over Sumatra and Kalimantan.

The prevailing South West monsoon with mostly persistent south-westerly winds is nearing its end. South-westerly winds are expected to persist until early this week due to a developing tropical depression in the north of South China Sea. In the middle of the week, isolated morning rain is expected over north-western states of Peninsular while generally fair weather is expected over Sarawak and Sabah. In the afternoon, isolated showers and thunderstorms are expected to occur over several parts of the country. Towards the end of the month and early next month, the south west monsoon will start to weaken and eventually end by the first week of October. The inter-monsoon season with light and more variable winds is then expected to set in, accompanied by more frequent afternoon thunderstorms with heavy rain and occasionally gusting winds.

On 20 September, NOAA-16 detected 3 hotspot in Peninsular Malaysia (Perak, Selangor and Pahang), 2 hotspots in Sabah and 26 hotspots in Sarawak. In Sarawak, the hotspots were detected near Miri, Bintulu, Sibu, Sarikei, Kuching, Samarahan and Sri Aman.

The air quality in 28 stations on 21 September 2005 was within good level while 21 stations recorded moderate level. In most of the areas, the visibility readings were good with the readings of 9 km and more than 10 km. 3 areas i.e. Subang, KLIA (Sepang) an Muadzam Shah recorded visibility readings at 8 km.

No hotspots were detected in Singapore. The PSI was within moderate range (51). The visibility readings in Changi and Seletar Airports were 10 km, respectively. Showers are likely in the next few days.

Resources Mobilised and Actions Taken

18 palm oil plantations in Indonesia were suspected using slash-and-burn techniques for land-clearing, causing recent land fire and haze in Sumatra. The Head of South Kalimantan Health Agency informed that the number of people with respiratory problems in South and Central Kalimantan has increased. The Agency provided 65,000 masks to be distributed.

Department of Environment has urged the public not to conduct any open burning that can deteriorate the air quality and report open burning cases by dialling toll free, JASLINE: 1-800-88-2727. With regards to the unstable weather condition, air quality status in the country and significant numbers of hotspots detected in the region, DoE Operation Room continues to operate for 24 hours a day to monitor and assess the API readings closely. The Director General of the Environment of Malaysia issued a total ban on open burning in Selangor, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, and Negeri Sembilan on 9 August 2005 and 11 August 2005, respectively. The prohibition excludes 3 activities i.e. open burning for religious purposes, cremation and barbeque/grill. The peat fire outbreak in Kampong Lombong, Kuala Selangor was tackled by 24 firefighters. A total of 0.8 hectares out of 8.8 hectares were suppressed. 20 firefighters were also deployed to contain peat fires in Parit 8, Sungai Panjang, Sekinchan (Selangor) affecting 6 and 3.6 hectares of peatland. The firefighters were able to contain 0.2 and 0.2 hectares respectively. The fire fighting operations will be continued today to put out the remaining. The cause of the fires is still being investigated. The Malaysia's Department of Meteorology and Royal Air Force Wing will undertake cloud seeding operation to control and prevent fire outbreaks in the peat areas in Kuala Selangor, Hulu Selangor and Kuala Langat. The operation was conducted on 17, 18, 19 and 20 September. Malaysia continues to intensify ground and aerial surveillance. All hotspots detected in the country will be investigated today and reports will be prepared accordingly.

Singapore started to post the hourly 3-hr PSI readings on NEA website since 24 March 2005.

An Inter-Ministry Haze Task Force Meeting was convened on 13 July 2005 to update members on the weather and haze situation and assessment for the next few months. The Haze Task Force convened an urgent meeting on 12 August 05 to take stock of the haze situation in the region and to prepare agencies on possibility of an impending haze situation in Singapore.

The regional mechanism to exchange information and updates was activated since early June 2005. Starting 9 August, the National Monitoring Centres (NMCs) of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore; and the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre provide situation reports and updates on a daily basis, in view of significant increase of hotpots and reduced visibility/air quality conditions in many areas of the sub-region. ASEAN Secretariat as the Interim ACC consolidates and synthesizes the reports, and provides the consolidated report to all National Focal Points of the ASEAN Member Countries.

The regional mechanism to mobilise resources within the region was activated following the request made by Indonesia and offers made by other ASEAN Member Countries. ASEAN Secretariat as the Interim ACC facilitated the request and offers made by the countries.

A Statement by the ASEAN Senior Officials on the Environment (ASOEN) was issued on 17 August, following the 16th Meeting of the ASOEN held on 16-17 August 2005 in Penang, Malaysia. The Senior Officials among others set up a Panel of ASEAN Experts on Fire and Haze Assessment and Coordination to further enhance the existing regional mechanism. The Senior Officials also reiterated the need for stringent enforcement actions against errant parties who set fires indiscriminately. The Senior Officials noted the enforcement actions taken against errant parties by Indonesia, and welcomed full disclosure and sharing of information on errant parties.

The Panel of ASEAN Experts on Fire and Haze Assessment and Coordination met on 8 September 2005 in Jakarta. The Meeting refined the draft Terms of Reference and operational arrangements and discussed future activities of the Panel of Experts. The revised draft Terms of Reference have been submitted to the ASOEN for consideration of the Senior Officials and the Environment Ministers at the 9th Informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment (IAMME), scheduled to be held at the end of September 2005 in Manila, Philippines.