How does El Niño contribute to the current haze episode?

Question

Accepted Answer

El Niño's Role in Exacerbating Malaysia's Haze Episode

The current haze episode affecting Malaysia is significantly influenced by the El Niño phenomenon, which has led to prolonged dry spells and suppressed rainfall across the region. These climatic conditions create an environment where open burning, both within Malaysia and from neighbouring areas, becomes more prevalent and its impact more severe due to the lack of natural cleansing by rain.
El Niño and Reduced Rainfall

El Niño is a climate pattern characterized by unusually warm surface waters in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. This warming disrupts atmospheric circulation patterns globally, and in Southeast Asia, it typically results in a reduction of rainfall. The suppression of monsoon rains, a critical source of moisture for the region, means that vegetation and land become drier for extended periods. This lack of precipitation is a direct consequence of the altered weather systems associated with El Niño, leading to prolonged drought conditions in affected areas.
Amplification of Open Burning Impacts

The dry conditions fostered by El Niño create a fertile ground for open burning activities. Drier vegetation, including agricultural waste and forest undergrowth, ignites more easily and burns more intensely. Furthermore, the absence of rain means that fires are less likely to be extinguished naturally and can spread more rapidly across landscapes. This increased susceptibility to fire, combined with ongoing agricultural and land-clearing practices that often involve burning, directly contributes to the volume of smoke and particulate matter released into the atmosphere.
Transboundary Smoke and Local Fires

The smoke generated from widespread open burning, exacerbated by El Niño-induced dry spells, can travel significant distances. This means that fires originating in one area, whether domestic or regional, can contribute to haze in Malaysia. In Sarawak, for instance, authorities have identified transboundary smoke as a primary driver of air quality deterioration, alongside local peat and forest fires. The dry, stable atmospheric conditions associated with El Niño also allow smoke plumes to persist and travel further, intensifying the haze experienced across the nation.

Reading history

Hide →

This history is cleared when the page is closed.

How does El Niño contribute to the current haze episode?

Loading

Was this article helpful?

Helpful

Not helpful

Report an issue

1

0

0

Share with friends