
The Singapore-based ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre activated Alert Level 3 for the Southern ASEAN region due to ongoing fires in Indonesia causing widespread transboundary haze, which has disrupted daily life across Southeast Asia by closing schools and increasing respiratory illnesses.
AI-generated summary
Southeast Asia experiences periodic haze from Indonesian fires, particularly during dry seasons, affecting air quality and public health across borders.
The months-long spell of haze has been disrupting life in large parts of Southeast Asia, closing schools and spiking respiratory complaints
Ongoing fires in Indonesia that have blanketed parts of Southeast Asia with toxic haze have triggered the highest-level alert by the regional bloc’s climate and fire monitor.
“Activation of Alert Level 3 for the Southern Asean region,” the Singapore Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) said on its website, seen on Saturday.
Based near Singapore’s Changi Airport, the ASMC uses a four-tiered alert level system, from zero to three, with the highest triggered if there is a “high risk of severe transboundary haze in the region”.
This included significant and persistent hotspot activities with widespread moderate to dense smoke haze, observed over two or more consecutive days, dry weather persisting and wind continuing to blow haze towards Association of Southeast Asian Nations neighbours.
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Haze conditions will persist if dry weather continues and fires remain active in Indonesia
Likely · Within days

Jiangsu consumers suspected that it was wild Nostoc after buying it online and called the police. After investigation, the police seized more than 600 grams of wild Nostoc in Ningxia. Experts pointed out that wild Nostoc is actually Nostoc algae, a national first-level protected wild plant. Large-scale mining has seriously damaged the desert ecology, and selling wild Nostoc is suspected of being illegal.

On October 17, large-scale rain and snow in China entered its strongest period. There will be heavy to heavy rains rarely seen in this period in the north, and there will be local blizzards or heavy snowstorms in northeastern Inner Mongolia and northwest Heilongjiang. Affected by frequent cold air, temperatures in the north will frequently reach new lows, and Jiangnan and other places will also experience significant cooling around the 21st.

Typhoon "Qiangpi" intensified into a moderate typhoon early this morning. The forecast indicates that it will continue to intensify into a strong typhoon in the future. Next Thursday (22nd) will be a key turning point. It needs to be observed whether it turns north or directly attacks Taiwan. Forecaster Zhang Chengchuan of the Meteorological Administration said that the strengthening of the northeast monsoon next week will bring local short-lived showers. Next Friday, the outer circulation of Typhoon Qiangbi will affect the northern and northeastern areas of Taiwan, with showers, and there will also be local short-lived showers in the east and southeast. The actual extent of the impact still depends on the degree of the typhoon's northward turn or its distance from Taiwan. The current pressure at the center of Typhoon Qiangpit is 950 hPa. The center is located at 12.3 degrees north latitude and 148.5 degrees east longitude, that is, on the sea 3120 kilometers southeast of Eluanbi. It moves westward at a speed of 24 rpm and 20 kilometers per hour. The maximum wind speed near the center is 40 meters per second, which is equivalent to Category 13 winds. The radius of Category 7 storm winds is 180 kilometers and the radius of Category 10 storm winds is 80 kilometers.

Meteorology expert "Taiwan Typhoon Forum | Weather Emergency" released an eye-opening photo of Typhoon Qiangpi, pointing out that its core structure is becoming more and more solid and its intensity continues to increase. It is expected to become a strong typhoon tomorrow. Qiangpi intensified into a moderate typhoon at 2 a.m. today, and satellite cloud images showed a small typhoon eye in the center.

Lin De'en, a doctor of atmospheric sciences at National Taiwan University, pointed out that Taiwan will still continue to have high temperatures in mid-October, with high temperatures reaching 32 to 35 degrees in the western half, and may soar above 36 degrees in the mountainous and inland areas of central and southern China. People are reminded to protect themselves from the sun and replenish water. Starting from the 21st, the northeast monsoon will strengthen, and the temperature will drop significantly in some areas. At the same time, pay attention to the development of the mild typhoon "Qiangbi" in the east of Guam.

Typhoon No. 29 "Qiangpi" was upgraded to Taiwan this morning. Meteorological expert Wu Derong pointed out that it is predicted to turn northwest and west towards Taiwan from next Wednesday to Friday. The threat has increased significantly and requires close attention. At the same time, Taiwan is currently affected by the "Autumn Tiger", with daytime temperatures on the high side and a large temperature difference between day and night, which is expected to last until next Tuesday.