Marked increase in hotspots in Sumatra

PETALING JAYA: There has been a marked increase in hotspots in Sumatra, with the latest number being 488, of which 267 are in the Riau province and 66 in South Sumatra. 

Moderate to dense smoke plumes were also observed to be emanating from some of the hotspots in central Sumatra.

In a statement, Singapore's National Environment Agency (NEM) said the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC), hosted by the Meteorological Service Singapore, has advised the interim Asean Coordinating Centre on the activation of Alert Level 2 for Sumatra.
 

The ASMC has a regional warning system for fire and haze situations based on three levels of alert with Alert Level 1 signifying the start of the dry season while Level 2 is activated when 150 hotspots or more are detected on two consecutive days, with dry weather conditions persisting and prevailing winds blowing towards other Asean countries.

Alert Level 3 is when there are 250 hotspots or more detected on two consecutive days with dry weather conditions persisting and prevailing winds blowing towards other Asean countries.

NEA has also registered Singapore's concerns over the sharp increase in hotspot counts with the Indonesians. 

For the next few days, dry weather conditions are expected to prevail in central and southern Sumatra.