Kalimantan Fires Send Haze
A thick haze from forest fires in neighbouring Indonesia’s Kalimantan region blanketed Metro Manila on Tuesday, pushing air pollution to dangerous levels as Philippine authorities warned the smoke could linger for days.
Footage shows hazy skies over Quezon City, Mandaluyong City and San Juan City, with buildings and parts of the skyline disappearing behind a grey veil of pollution.
PM2.5 Reaches Dangerous Levels
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Environmental Management Bureau said the haze contained high levels of PM2.5, fine particles small enough to penetrate deep into the respiratory system. The agency linked the pollution to smoke from the Kalimantan fires being carried towards the Philippines by prevailing winds.
Dr Gerry Bagtasa, professor at the University of the Philippines Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology, said a strong southwest monsoon was carrying the smoke across the equator, with tropical cyclones north of the Philippines strengthening the winds.
“It’s because of the very strong southwest monsoon, so winds are in fact coming from the western part of Kalimantan where the fires are. And these winds, the reason they are very strong right now, because of the tropical cyclones to the north of the Philippines,” he said.
Smoke Expected To Persist
The Environmental Management Bureau said the haze could continue affecting parts of the Philippines from September 1 to September 3, while fires remain active and the southwest monsoon continues carrying smoke northwards.
Bagtasa also warned that the pollution could persist for longer if the weather pattern holds, with El Nino conditions contributing to the severity of the fires
“As long as the tropical cyclones enhancing the southwest monsoon are there, the southwest monsoon will remain very strong and will carry most of the emissions from fire, which will most likely last until the end of this week,” he said.
“During El Nino years, the fires tend to be stronger, the emissions tend to be more, and I would say that this is partly an effect of El Nino,” he added.
Public Urged To Wear Masks
Philippine health authorities have urged people to limit unnecessary outdoor activity and wear N95 masks, particularly those at greater risk from air pollution.
The haze has spread beyond Metro Manila, with authorities monitoring air quality elsewhere and the Department of Health saying smoke has reached parts of Luzon and the Visayas.
Article by Viory
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