REVIEW OF REGIONAL HAZE SITUATION IN ASEAN REGION (April 2022)
In April 2022, the Northeast Monsoon gradually transitioned to inter-monsoon conditions. Most parts of the Mekong sub-region experienced prolonged dry weather, except for southern Cambodia and northern Myanmar which showers were observed on some days. Rainy weather conditions were also observed elsewhere in the ASEAN region on most days during this period, although drier conditions prevailed over the northern part of Philippines. Heavy rainfall was observed in parts of central and southern Philippines, contributed by the passage of Tropical Storm Megi in the second week of April 2022.
The total number of hotspots were lower or comparable to previous years of the same period, except for Lao PDR where significantly higher numbers of hotspots were detected in April 2022 compared to previous years. In Sumatra, there are slightly more hotspots detected compared to previous years.
Widespread moderate to dense smoke haze was observed in Mekong region in early to mid-April, with transboundary haze observed to drift from Lao PDR into Thailand, Viet Nam and Cambodia for several days. As shower activities returned later in the month, the overall hotspot and smoke haze situation in Mekong region were improved. The hotspot and smoke haze situation in the southern ASEAN region remained comparatively subdued as rainy conditions prevailed. Localised smoke plumes were observed in West Kalimantan and the western coastal areas of central Sumatra on some days.
APFP 2010-2014
