More hot spots detected as dry season hits southern Asean region
Sign up now: Get insights on Asia's fast-moving developments
The Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre said it expects above-normal rainfall over most parts of the southern Asean region in coming months.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
SINGAPORE - Hot spot activity in the southern Asean region – which includes Singapore – has increased in recent days, indicating the start of the dry season, which is expected to last till September, the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) said.
The weatherman said it issued its lowest Alert Level 1 for the region on July 17 after a total of 33 hot spots were detected on July 15 and 44 hot spots were detected on July 16.
It said localised smoke plumes were seen emanating from a few hot spots in Sumatra on some days and that many parts of the southern Asean region have also been experiencing drier weather lately.
ASMC said: “This is due to a strengthening of the prevailing south-west monsoon, which causes the monsoon rainband to move further north of the equator, away from the region.”
While conditions in the tropical Pacific Ocean are currently neutral, unaffected by either the El Nino or La Nina climate phenomenon, ASMC said there is a possibility of wetter La Nina conditions developing in the second half of 2024.
Based on the latest climate outlook, ASMC said it expects above-normal rainfall over most parts of the southern Asean region in coming months.
But there is still a risk of hot spot and smoke haze development in fire-prone areas, especially during drier periods.
“Early precautionary and mitigation measures are advised to prevent the occurrence of fires and transboundary haze in the region,” ASMC said.
More updates on the regional weather, smoke haze situation and early warnings are available on the ASMC website.
