Channel NewsAsia 16 Oct 10;
SINGAPORE: The skies over Singapore were slightly hazy on Saturday.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) attributed this to the smoke haze from the fires in Sumatra brought in by the prevailing southwesterly winds.
"The latest satellite pass today detected 80 hotspots mainly in the Riau Province in Sumatra," added the NEA in a statement.
The air quality in Singapore, as measured by the PSI readings, was in the moderate range - which is one level below the good range.
At 4pm, the 24-hour PSI reading was 54.
"The winds are expected to remain southwesterly tomorrow and showers with thunder are expected in the morning. The showers should help to mitigate the smoke haze but there is still a possibility that some slight haziness may remain tomorrow," said the NEA.
It pointed out that at the recent meeting on haze pollution held in Brunei, Singapore has cautioned that periods of dry conditions may occur during the inter-monsoon season and urged ASEAN member states to remain vigilant and to continuously monitor as well as implement haze prevention activities.
NEA is monitoring the smoke haze situation closely and will provide updates should the air quality deteriorate. Members of the public may also call NEA Call Centre at 1800-CALL NEA (1800-2255 632) or access www.nea.gov.sg for any feedback or update on the situation.
- CNA/ir
Sumatra fires bring haze
Straits Times 17 Oct 10;
IF YOU thought Singapore was a little hazy yesterday, you were right.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) reported yesterday that the 24-hour PSI air pollutant reading at 4 pm was 54, in the 'moderate' range. Singapore's PSI readings are usually in the 'good' range of 1 to 50.
The change was the result of prevailing south-westerly winds which have brought in haze from the fires in Sumatra, and is the third time this month the PSI has crept past 50.
'The latest satellite pass today detected 80 hot spots mainly in the Riau province in Sumatra,' said the NEA in a statement yesterday. But it added that showers expected this morning should help clear some of the haze, although there is still a possibility that slight haziness may remain.
NEA added that, at a meeting to discuss haze pollution in Brunei last week, Singapore had cautioned that periods of dry conditions may occur during the inter-monsoon season. It also urged Asean member states to remain vigilant and to continuously monitor as well as implement haze prevention activities.
NEA is monitoring the haze situation closely and will provide updates. The public may call 1800-CALL NEA (1800-2255 632) or access www.nea.gov.sg for any feedback or update on the situation.
