HAZE season is upon us again.

The recent dry weather and sweltering temperatures, which have been a source of great irritation for locals, are prime contributors to the problem, causing the spread of forest fires – most recently detected at Lambak Kiri last Sunday night.

The issue is not helped by irresponsible residents carrying out open burning.

However, some respite appears to be in sight. Though the hazy conditions have not totally cleared, the Brunei Darussalam Meteorological Department noted that air quality yesterday morning and afternoon in all four districts was recorded as “good”.

The department provided some further good news: night thundershowers are expected from today until August 23.

Separately, in its update last Sunday evening, the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) said that rainy weather is forecast to continue over the northern ASEAN region, with winds blowing from the southwest or west also expected in the next few days.

In the southern ASEAN region, there has been an increase in shower activity over northern Sumatra and Sarawak. Smoke haze emanating from Kalimantan continues to be observed, while fire hotspots are still detected in Riau. Winds are forecast to blow from the southeast or south in the forthcoming few days.

On August 13, the ASMC activated a ‘Level 2’ haze alert for the southern ASEAN region. The classification means that there are over 150 hotspots with dense smoke plumes in two consecutive days, with dry weather persisting and prevailing winds blowing towards ASEAN member countries.

The dry weather, according to the ASMC, led to the deterioration of the haze situation in Sumatra and Kalimantan. “In West Kalimantan, moderate to dense smoke haze from persistent hotspots has been observed, and the prevailing winds could blow the haze toward western Sarawak,” it said.