Worst of haze over due to onset of monsoon season: NEA

Joanne Chen, Channel NewsAsia 26 Oct 09;

SINGAPORE: The worst of the haze appears to be over. The National Environment Agency (NEA) said Singapore is unlikely to be affected by transboundary haze from late November onwards.

In a statement, NEA added that during the Inter-Monsoon period between now and November, the ASEAN region is likely to experience wet weather, interspersed with brief dry periods.

The increase in rainfall is expected to help subdue hotspot activities in Sumatra and Borneo.

But sporadic increases in hotspot activities could still be expected during drier periods. And depending on the wind direction, smoke from the forest fires could blow towards Singapore.

However, NEA noted that the onset of the Northeast Monsoon in late November is expected to bring about the start of the traditional rainy season in the region. And hotspot activities are expected to remain subdued during this period. - CNA/vm