Southeast Asia faces severe haze crisis from Indonesian fires, WMO warns

Southeast Asia is grappling with one of its most severe haze episodes as fires continue to rage across Indonesia, the World Meteorological Organization has warned. The transboundary air pollution is affecting air quality across the region, posing health risks to millions of residents and disrupting daily activities in multiple countries.

The WMO director emphasized that the scale of the current episode ranks among the worst the region has experienced, with smoke and particulate matter spreading far beyond Indonesia's borders. Singapore and neighboring nations have reported elevated air quality index readings, prompting health advisories and school closures in some areas.

To effectively combat the crisis, the WMO director called for coordinated regional action to develop and implement comprehensive measures targeting the root causes of the fires. Officials stressed that no single nation can address the problem unilaterally, given the transboundary nature of the haze.

Countries in Southeast Asia are being urged to enhance cross-border cooperation, improve early warning systems, and coordinate firefighting efforts. Regional authorities are also reviewing land-use policies and enforcement mechanisms to prevent future large-scale fire incidents that contribute to the seasonal haze phenomenon.

The ongoing episode highlights the urgent need for sustained regional dialogue and joint strategies to manage environmental challenges affecting air quality across Southeast Asia.