SINGAPORE - Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia face a medium risk of experiencing a severe transboundary haze event for the rest of 2025, according to an assessment released Monday by the Singapore Institute of International Affairs.

The latest report marks an increase from the institute's 2024 assessment, which rated the risk as "low" on its three-tier scale of low, medium, and high.

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Elevated agricultural prices and a rise in deforestation have heightened the likelihood of fires and haze, the report said, noting a surge in hotspots and smoke haze across parts of Sumatra in mid-July this year, with transboundary haze drifting from central Sumatra into parts of Peninsular Malaysia.

Economic and policy shifts could also inadvertently drive deforestation and increase haze risk if fire continues to be used for land clearing, the report warned.

READ MORE: Singapore in low risk of transboundary haze in 2024

Looking further ahead, climate trends suggest the possibility of another unusually dry season between 2027 and 2030, which could further exacerbate haze risks.