Deputy Director of the Papua New Guinea (PNG) National Weather Service’s (NWS) Kasisi Inape is warning people with respiratory illness, young children and people who work outdoors to take precautions as thick morning haze continues in Port Moresby and other centers around the country.

Inape made this statement at the recent Pacific Islands Climate and Ocean Forum (PICOF) after frequent haze experienced across the city and other parts of the country, causing concern. 

He stated that it is possible that this haze was caused by regional wind-carried smoke blown in from Indonesia and amplified by dry El Nino weather and the stagnant air.

According to reports, Indonesia's fire crisis is closely associated to peatland drainage and conversion for palm oil plantations. When tropical peat swamps are drained and burned, they can produce devastating fires that burn underground for months, generating toxic haze that affects air quality across Southeast Asia. During this time of the year, Port Moresby’s weather is usually affected by dry southeasterly winds.

Furthermore, the PNG NWS stated that the haze can pose health risks as the it can contain smoke, dust and other harmful airborne particles that can harm babies, young children, elderly people, people with asthma or other breathing problems, heart problems and people who work or exercise outdoors.

People are warned to avoid running, exercise or doing heavy work if the air is smoky, stay indoors, and wear face masks.