KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 30 — Some 1,211 hotspots were detected across the southern Asean region based on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellite imagery analysed by the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) in Singapore yesterday.

Department of Environment (DOE) deputy director-general (Development) Azuri Azizah Saedon said 1,180 hotspots were detected in Kalimantan, 18 in Sumatra and 13 in Malaysia, comprising two in Perak, two in Sabah and nine in Sarawak.

She said the Regional Haze Map issued by ASMC on the same date showed dry conditions prevailing across most of the southern Asean region, except for several areas, particularly northern Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia, which received rainfall.

“Widespread hotspots were detected in Kalimantan, while isolated hotspots were recorded in Sulawesi and southern and central Sumatra. Several hotspots were also detected mainly in central Sarawak and eastern Java,” she said in a statement today.

Moderate to thick transboundary haze was detected over West Kalimantan, moving northwards into western Sarawak. Moderate to thick haze was also observed across much of Kalimantan, central Sarawak, and central and southern Sumatra.

Azuri Azizah said several air quality monitoring stations in West Kalimantan, western and central Sarawak, western Peninsular Malaysia, and southern and central Sumatra recorded unhealthy to hazardous air quality levels.

However, she said the overall extent of hotspots and haze in the region could not be fully determined due to cloud cover.

Following an increase in hotspot activity and the wider spread of haze in the southern Asean region, the Asean Secretariat activated Alert Level 3 for the region on Aug 27 in accordance with the  Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Asean Monitoring, Assessment, and Joint Emergency Response. (MAJER).

Meanwhile, the DOE continues to monitor air quality, hotspots, weather conditions and haze developments under the National Haze Action Plan (PTJK), while coordinating response measures with relevant ministries and agencies.

In Sarawak, the state DOE is continuing patrols and Open Burning Prevention Operations (OMPT), while stepping up monitoring in areas at risk of open burning, including forests, peatlands, landfills, agricultural and plantation areas, and industrial sites.

Under the PTJK, all outdoor activities must be suspended when the Air Pollutant Index (API) exceeds 100, while schools, kindergartens and nurseries must be closed immediately when the reading exceeds 200.

Schools, kindergartens and nurseries are also required to monitor API readings and prepare for possible closures if the trend shows an increase towards 200.

A DOE report at 9 am today showed that 13 areas recorded unhealthy API readings, two recorded very unhealthy levels and another two recorded hazardous levels. The highest reading of 374 was recorded at the Serian District Police Headquarters in Sarawak.

The public is advised against open burning and urged to report any burning or fire incidents to the Fire and Rescue Department at 999 or the DOE at 1-800-88-2727. — Bernama