Overview

• Satellite data showed fire hotspots in Sumatra surged from 94 on July 12 to 1,292 by July 21.
• Riau province recorded 582 hotspots amid peak dry-season conditions and reduced rainfall.
• Indonesia’s disaster agency began a July 21–27 operation of cloud seeding, water-bombing helicopters and aerial patrol flights over Riau.
• Eight locations in Peninsular Malaysia logged unhealthy Air Pollutant Index readings above 100, with Alor Gajah in Melaka worst hit at 160.
• Meteorological forecasts indicate no imminent rain or wind shifts to clear the haze, highlighting the annual risk from dry-season slash-and-burn fires.