Singapore, Oct. 17 — The ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) has issued Alert Level 3 for the southern ASEAN region, marking the highest tier in its four-level warning system. This alert comes as toxic haze from Indonesian forest fires spreads across Southeast Asia, according to reports from AFP.
The activation of Alert Level 3 indicates a high risk of severe transboundary haze. This classification is triggered by the observation of moderate to dense smoke haze over two or more consecutive days, together with persistent dry weather and winds directing the smoke toward neighboring countries. It is the third Level 3 alert of the year, following similar alerts on March 27 and August 26.
Impact on Health and Education
The ongoing pollution crisis has led to school closures and restrictions on outdoor activities in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Timor-Leste. There has also been a notable increase in respiratory health issues among residents. As of Saturday, Singapore ranked as the second most polluted major city globally, according to IQAir, following Baghdad, with Kuala Lumpur closely behind.
In response to the emergency, Indonesia has conducted aerial operations, dispersing 2.4 tons of dry ice over South Sumatra in an effort to mitigate the haze. Officials have warned that the smoke reduces visibility, disrupts flight operations, and poses health risks to the public. More than 60,000 personnel have been mobilized to combat the fires, supported by 61 aircraft, with 44 specifically allocated for water-bombing efforts.
Frustration is growing among neighboring countries. Malaysian lawmakers have urged stronger measures, characterizing Indonesia’s handling of the fires as “irresponsible behavior.” Malaysia is seeking an urgent ASEAN meeting to address the crisis, which is expected to be a topic of discussion at a foreign ministers’ meeting ahead of the upcoming ASEAN summit in Manila in November.
Wildfires occur annually in Indonesia during the dry season; however, this year’s blazes have been intensified by a strong El Niño, contributing to drought conditions and extensive burning over hundreds of thousands of hectares.
A 2002 ASEAN agreement aimed at addressing transboundary haze pollution lacks a robust enforcement mechanism. Previous attempts by Singapore to hold corporations responsible for their connection to the wildfires have not progressed. Last Friday, Singapore announced it would issue warnings to seven Indonesian companies identified as contributors to the fires, primarily focusing on pulpwood and timber suppliers in Sumatra.
