Southeast Asia is currently experiencing one of its most severe transboundary haze episodes in recent years, driven primarily by widespread fires in Indonesia, according to a senior official from the United Nations weather agency. The prolonged haze, which has significantly affected air quality across the region, is expected to persist for weeks or even months until changes in weather conditions bring relief.

Ben Churchill, director of the World Meteorological Organisation’s (WMO) regional office for Asia and the Pacific, highlighted that the ongoing El Nino weather pattern, predicted to be the strongest recorded, has intensified the dry and hot conditions typical of the equatorial ASEAN region’s dry season. These conditions have created a “perfect storm” that facilitates the outbreak and spread of wildfires, often linked to slash-and-burn agricultural practices used to clear land in Indonesia.

Singapore, one of the countries most affected by the haze, has recorded 13 consecutive days with unhealthy air quality readings, according to Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) data, marking the longest stretch since the 2015 haze crisis. As of October 17, the 24-hour PSI readings remained in the unhealthy range, with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) reaching high levels on an hourly basis. Outdoor activities have been disrupted, with some venues reopening after brief closures, while others, such as the Water Sports Centre at Kallang, suspended operations due to poor visibility.

At a press conference on October 16, Singapore’s Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Grace Fu, warned that the hazy conditions could worsen before improving, potentially reaching hazardous levels. She indicated that air quality is unlikely to improve significantly until the winds slow and shift direction, a change expected in three to four weeks. A longer-term reprieve may come toward the end of the year when northern winds could help disperse the haze away from Singapore.

According to Churchill, nearly half of the global smoke haze recorded during the week of October 8 originated in Indonesia, based on satellite data from the European Union’s Copernicus Fire Emissions Watch service. To address the crisis, Churchill stressed the importance of enhanced regional cooperation, including sharing early warning systems and establishing collective firefighting strategies within ASEAN. He suggested pooling firefighting resources—such as shared equipment, technical expertise, and rapid deployment of crews across member countries—to improve response effectiveness.

Minister Fu noted that Singapore has offered assistance to Indonesia, including civilian support for firefighting operations and cloud seeding efforts to induce rainfall. Both officials emphasized that such haze episodes are likely to become more frequent due to factors such as climate change and the recurring El Nino phenomenon, with similar agricultural practices present across Southeast Asia.

Drawing from his experience coordinating wildfire responses in Australia, Churchill cited reciprocal disaster management agreements with neighboring countries as effective models. These arrangements facilitate immediate cross-border deployment of personnel and equipment to handle large-scale fires efficiently.

Ultimately, Churchill underscored that monsoon rains expected later in the year will be crucial in extinguishing the blazes, alongside ongoing efforts by Indonesia bolstered by international support.