2006 Southeast Asian haze

The 2006 Southeast Asian haze event was caused by continued uncontrolled burning from "slash and burn" cultivation in Indonesia, and affected several countries in the Southeast Asian region and beyond, such as Malaysia, Singapore, southern Thailand, and as far as Saipan [cite news|url=http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?cat=1&newsID=61706|title=Indon haze spreads to NMI|accessdate=2006-10-08|publisher=saipantribune.com] ; the effects of the haze may have spread to South Korea. [cite web|url=http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=13927|title=Haze over Korea |author=NASA|date=2006-10-13|accessdate=2006-10-30] Local sources of pollution partly contributed to the increased toxicity, particularly in high-pollution areas such as ports, oil refineries, and dense urban areas. In the highly urbanised and industrialised Klang Valley of Malaysia in particular, the surrounding terrain acted as a natural retainer of polluted air, aggravating the situation when the haze set in. There is a link to El Niño as well. [cite news|url=http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/news/topstory/2007/elnino_wildfire.html|title=NASA Data Links Indonesian Wildfire Flare-Up to Recent El Nino|accessdate=2007-01-03] .

The haze was made worse than during previous occurrences by the El Niño-Southern Oscillation which delayed the year's monsoon season. Fires in Kalimantan produce great amounts of smoke, burn a long time and are difficult to extinguish because they are on peatland, and once lit the fires can burn for months and release gases that produce sulfuric acid. [Ghosh, Arijit. October 31, 2006. [http://www.theage.com.au/news/business/fires-leave-indonesias-neighbours-fuming/2006/10/30/1162056928811.html] , Bloomberg via The Age (retrieved on November 1, 2006).]

Air quality across the region appeared to improve in late October as heavy rainfall doused fires in Indonesia. [cite web|url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061027/sc_nm/environment_indonesia_haze_dc|title=Rain clears haze in SE Asia|accessdate=2006-10-29|publisher=Reuters at Yahoo!]

Countries affected

Brunei

Brunei, an independent sultanate that is surrounded by East Malaysia's Sarawak state on Borneo, had been affected by the haze from Kalimantan. Rains brought some relief, and on October 8, the Pollutant Standards Index had dropped to 46, which is within the "good" range. ["Borneo Bulletin". October 9, 2006. [http://www.brunet.bn/news/bb/mon/oct9h1.htm "Call for joint Asean fund to combat haze menace"] (retrieved October 13, 2006).] There was a brief spell of clear skies during the first week of Hari Raya, following a spell of rainy weather. But the haze returned on October 31, [Othman, Azlan. November 1, 2006. [http://www.brudirect.com/DailyInfo/News/Archive/Nov06/011106/nite03.htm "Haze Returns To Brunei"] , BruDirect.com.] with the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation recording a PSI of 49. [ [http://www.env.gov.bn/psireading.htm Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation PSI reading] (retrieved November 1, 2006.] [ [http://www.bruneiweather.com.bn/haze.htm Brunei Meteorological Office] ]

Indonesia

The fires originated mostly in Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of Borneo, and on Sumatra, where they are set by swidden agriculturists employed by agroforestry concerns to clear land in order to grow pulp woods or market crops ahead of the growing season. Satellite images taken over Borneo on October 4 showed 561 "hot spots" indicating areas where fires had been set.

Officials in neighbouring countries accused Indonesian officials of doing nothing to stop the fires, though forestry ministry officials said they had firefighters working to douse the blazes on state-controlled land. However, they conceded, most of the fires were on private land. [Agence France-Presse.October 6, 2006. [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/234207/1/.html "Indonesia dousing fires causing haze: forestry official"] (retrieved via Channel NewsAsia October 9, 2006).] Indonesia planned to deploy its military to aid fire fighting effort. [Bernama. " [http://bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=225179 Indonesia To Deploy Soldiers To Fight Forest Fires] ". October 16 2006] To recruit more people to man the fire line, the government offered two days off for civil servants who volunteered for fire duty. [Agence France-Presse. October 17, 2006. [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/235940/1/.html "Fight fires, get two days off work: Indonesia's anti-haze tactic"] .] But the country lacks equipment for fighting forest fires, having airplanes that are too small to carry enough water. [Agence France-Presse. October 17, 2006. [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/southeastasia/view/235850/1/.html "Rain brings reprieve to residents suffering from haze in South Sumatra"] .] In a bid to obtain bigger aircraft, the government leased two Beriev Be-200 from Russia, which are capable of skimming over water and taking on loads for sustained firefighting efforts. [Novosti. October 21, 2006. [http://en.rian.ru/world/20061020/54979386.html "Indonesia to rent 2 Russian planes to fight forest fires"] .] The planes, which will be flown by Russians and maintained by Russian technicians, were due to begin operations on November 1. [ [http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/JAK284005.htm Russian planes to help Indonesia fight haze] , Reuters, October 31, 2006.]

The fires have closed schools, delayed and cancelled airline flights, disrupted shipping and forced Indonesians to don face masks. Cities affected include Pontianak, West Kalimantan, Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan and Pekanbaru, Riau. [Agence France-Presse. October 5, 2006. [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/234091/1/.html Haze from Indonesia fires chokes region, spreads across Pacific] (retrieved via Channel NewsAsia on October 9, 2006).] [ [http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=111897&version=1&template_id=45&parent_id=25 Lack of funds an obstacle to halting cropland fires] . "Gulf Times". October 9, 2006. ("retrieved on October 9, 2006").] The haze was blamed for a Mandala Airlines flight from Balikpapan, the provincial capital of East Kalimantan, skidding off the runway upon landing at Tarakan on October 3, when visibility was reported at around 400 metres. [Agence France-Presse. October 3, 2006. [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/233729/1/.html "Passenger plane skids off runway amid thick haze in Indonesia"] (retrieved via Channel NewsAsia on October 9, 2006).] It has caused breathing problems for people in Riau and in Jambi Province. [Jakarta Post. October 9, 2006. [http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailheadlines.asp?fileid=20061009.A05&irec=4 Haze increasing respiratory cases, doctors say] .] On October 21, 12 airlines cancelled domestic flights from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport due to smog at many destinations, including Jambi, Banjarmasin, Jayapura, Semarang, Surabaya, Bengkulu, Denpasar, Makassar, Pekanbaru and Padang. [ANTARA. October 21, 2006. [http://www.antara.co.id/en/seenws/?id=22118 Airline companies cancel flights to different domestic destinations)] .]

An October 20 report by Malaysian government news agency BERNAMA offered a first-hand account of the scene in Kalimantan: "The suffocating smell of smoke, sore throat and eyes got worse when this reporter and a photographer stepped foot in central Kalimantan, forcing them to put on face masks. Throughout the 200-kilometre journey from Banjarmasin to Palangkaraya, what could be seen of the forests on both sides of the road was a landscape of blackish soil with smoke still billowing from the ground in some areas and of withering trees and plants. The area was foggy and dusty as the air was filled with flying ashes and other particles."

Local villagers, the report said, appeared to be unconcerned with the smog, saying it was "normal". "If we do not burn the forest, where are we going to get our food from?" a villager said. [Madian, Amrizan. October 20, 2006. [http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/printable.php?id=225856 "Haze creates regional human-environment crisis"] , BERNAMA.]

On the environmental front, fires destroyed 1 km² of the Tesso Nilo National Park in Riau Province.cite news|title=Unhealthy air may last for a few weeks|author=Tan, Tania|work=The Straits Times|date=October 17, 2006|page=1|publisher=Singapore Press Holdings] At the Tanjung Puting National Park in Central Kalimantan, the haze adversely affected the orangutans.

Malaysia

The effects of the haze started in early July and affected the northern Malaysian states severely. [The __earthinc. [http://maddruid.com/?p=825 Of possible return of haze] July 4, 2006.] However, the haze had cleared substantially throughout Peninsular Malaysia from August 29, 2006 due to raining season. The rain reduced the number of hotspots throughout Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula. On the August 30, 2006, "The Star" reported that Kuala Lumpur would be free of haze during the Merdeka Day. In the late evening just before midnight on August 31, 2006, the visibility in the Klang Valley was recorded to be very good.

Unfortunately, the haze returned again in late September when Muslim Malaysians were experiencing Ramadan. This was partly due to a change of wind direction towards the southwest, partially caused by Typhoon Xangsane. [Brunei Times. Filipino wind of change. October 3 2006.] The worst hit place was Kuching. The Sarawak state government had declared that schools would close if the API breaches the 300 mark. [Bernama. [http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=223339 Schools In Sarawak To Close If API Breaches 300 Level] . October 5 2006.] The worst affected area in Peninsular Malaysia is Johor Bahru which recorded an API of 150 on October 7 and October 8. For now, many people are wearing masks to prevent themselves from inhaling excessive amounts of haze. On October 7, visibility in parts of East Malaysia fell to 300 metres. On or about October 9, the worst of the haze in Peninsular seemed to be in the state of Negeri Sembilan, where visibility in Sepang fell briefly to 500 metres and the API in Nilai reached 198, before the rain relieved the haze partially. Shortly thereafter changing winds caused conditions to improve rapidly. Sarawak has started cloud seeding attempts to try to encourage rainfall that will help relieve the haze. [cite web|url=http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/10/7/nation/15661601&sec=nation|accessdate=2006-10-08|title=Malaysians have had enough of haze woes|publisher=The Star Online] Each cloud seeding session costs at least RM50,000 (roughly US$14,000). [The Star. [http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/10/16/nation/15733822&sec=nation Cloud-seeding proving costly for Sarawak] . October 16 2006.] On October 21, the winds has changed direction and started to blow the hazes away from Malaysia, and the following day, heavy rain has cleared the haze. Later on October 26, the heavy rain returned again, and there were isolated showers in Klang Valley. The Star reported that the hazy days are soon coming to an end as the monsoon season is approaching.

Air pollution index

0-50 Good 51-100 Moderate101-200 Unhealthy201-300 Very unhealthy301- Hazardous

Thailand

In July, the southern Thai provinces of Pattani and Satun suffered an on-and-off bout of smog, with the levels of pollutants in Satun being high enough to constitute a health hazard. [cite web|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=106974|accessdate=2006-10-08|title=Indonesia smog covers two provinces|publisher=bangkokpost.com] In all, seven provinces were affected by the haze in July and August.

Haze was again reported on October 6, with respiratory illnesses and eye irritation reported in Narathiwat. [ Thai News Agency. October 6, 2006. [http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=25233 "Indonesian forest fire smog again blankets southern Thailand"] , MCOT.] Visibility and air quality were also affected in Songkhla, Satun and Yala. Health warnings were issued and surgical masks were issued to residents. Three days later, meteorological officials reported that the haze had thinned to almost normal visibility. [Thai News Agency. October 9, 2006. [http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=25300 "Smog from Indonesia over southern Thailand thins out"] , MCOT.]

Strong winds in the region brought haze from Indonesia back into Songkhla, Satun, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat provinces on October 17. Visibility in Yala and Songkhla was reduced to less than a kilometre, and officials warned fishermen going out to the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand to "stay vigilant". Drivers were also asked to turn on their headlights. [cite web|url=http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=25459|accessdate=2006-10-17|title=Indonesian smog returns to southern Thailand|publisher=TNA English News]

ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transboundary Haze Pollution

Malaysia and Singapore criticized the way Indonesia handled the issue. Both urged the latter to ratify the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution. The Malaysian Environment Minister Azmi Khalid said "Frustration is an understatement", directed toward Indonesia. [The Star. [http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/content/view/4967/2/ Malaysians have had enough of haze woes] . October 7 2006.] . There was also a protest in front of the Indonesia embassy in Kuala Lumpur, organized by local political parties. [Dow Jones. [http://www.lloyds.com/CmsPhoenix/DowJonesArticle.aspx?id=239108 Malaysians protest outside Indonesia embassy over haze] . October 10 2006.] Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong expressed disappointment toward Indonesia soon after Azmi Khalid made his view public. [Channel News Asia. [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/234808/1/.html Singapore expresses disappointment over haze to Indonesia] . October 11 2006.] In response to the letter, Indonesian President apologized for the regional haze. [Bloomberg. [http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=ahLanwV7u_Jw&refer=asia Indonesia Apologizes to Its Neighbors for Smoke Haze] . October 11 2006] Indonesia has earlier stated that it lacked the resources to combat the burning effectively. [The Sun. [http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=15745 No fund, pray for rain] . October 13 2006.]

Singapore proposed regional talks on the haze, to be held in Singapore. Indonesia, however, requested such talks to be held in Pekan Baru, Kalimantan instead. [AFP at Yahoo!. [http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20061010/sc_afp/malaysiaindonesia Southeast Asian ministers to pressure Indonesia over haze] October 10 2006] The request was agreed to and talks were held on October 13 2006. At the meeting, Malaysia proposed the setting up of a regional fund to help combat the environmental disaster. [Bernama. [http://bernama.com/bernama/v3/news_lite.php?id=224481 Malaysia proposes special fund to fight haze] . October 12 2006]

With the arrival of the northeastern winter monsoons in December, the haze problem was effectively ended for 2006.

References

Imagery

Borneo, especially Kalimantan, and the haze caused. Image captured October 5, 2006 by the Terra MODIS satellite.
Sumatra and the resulting haze. Image captured October 4, 2006 by the Aqua MODIS satellite.
October 1, 2006 by the Aqua MODIS satellite that shows the extent of the fires and resulting haze.

ee also

* 1997 Southeast Asian haze
* 2005 Malaysian haze
* Air Quality Index
* Haze
* Pollutant Standards Index
* Slash and burn

External links

* [http://app.nea.gov.sg/cms/htdocs/article.asp?pid=1195 Latest schematic of area affected by haze over the region]
* [http://app.nea.gov.sg/cms/htdocs/article.asp?pid=1674 Latest hotspot map]
* [http://app.nea.gov.sg/psi Current PSI readings in Singapore]
* [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/haze/newsarchives.htm Haze alert] – news archive at Channel NewsAsia