Channel NewsAsia 13 May 11;
Singapore: A light blanket of haze has descended over Singapore.
According to the National Environment Agency (NEA), prevailing winds blew slight haze from central Sumatra towards Singapore since Thursday afternoon.
It noted that over the past few days, the region has been experiencing dry weather conditions and an increase in hotspots from 60 on Sunday 8 May to 156 on Tuesday 10 May, has been detected over central Sumatra.
Despite the haze, the 24 hour Pollutant Standard Index (PSI) which measures air pollutants was rated at 60, which is in the moderate range.
Over the weekend, the NEA said late morning and afternoon showers can be expected and these could bring temporary relief.
However, winds blowing from the southwest or southeast may continue to bring in haze to Singapore over the weekend.
The NEA added that it is monitoring the haze situation closely and those who require more information, can check the NEA's PSI website or call the NEA Call Centre at 1800 CALL NEA (1800 2255632).
- CNA/sf
Expect hazy skies this weekend
Feng Zengkun Straits Times 14 May 11;
THE weekend weather forecast is that Singapore could experience haze.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) said south-west and south-east winds could bring haze from fires in Sumatra to Singapore, though late-morning and afternoon showers could lessen the amount.
Yesterday evening, the PSI, or Pollutant Standards Index, hit 60 - the highest reading since last October. Then, big forest fires in Indonesia caused parts of Singapore to be blanketed with haze and the PSI reading to exceed 80 regularly.
Air becomes unhealthy when the PSI hits 101.
The NEA said there was no health danger to people here and it would continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates if the air quality worsens.
The decline in air quality over the past week has been caused by the recent fires in Sumatra created by land clearing and scorching weather which sparked off brush fires.
Malaysia has also not been spared the effects, with its Air Pollutant Index hitting 104 in Port Klang on Thursday.
A reading in the 100-200 band is considered unhealthy. Skies in Kuala Lumpur were also overcast with haze.
In Sumatra, the number of hot spots peaked at 156 on Tuesday before easing over the week due to showers.
Experts The Straits Times spoke to said it was difficult to predict the effects of the Sumatra fires on Singapore beyond the weekend, as weather conditions here are especially changeable now in the inter-monsoon period.
During April and May, the weather here switches from the north-east to south-west monsoon season.
This means wind and rain conditions could follow the patterns of either season and are difficult to predict.
Dr Matthias Roth, an associate professor in the geography department at the National University of Singapore, said heavier rain and a north-east wind would improve the air quality.
'Heavier rain helps to clear the air of haze particles,' he added.
Doctors told The Straits Times that the dip in air quality posed little health risk to the general public but those with medical conditions, such as asthma, and the elderly should be more careful.
Dr Jansen Koh, an associate consultant in the department of respiratory medicine at Changi General Hospital, said asthma sufferers should carry their inhalers wherever they go.
He added: 'If the PSI gets any higher, avoid the haze and stay indoors. Avoid any strenuous activity and see a doctor if you feel unwell.'
Favourable weather improves air quality in the peninsula
Wong Pek Mei The Star 14 May 11;
PETALING JAYA: The country’s air quality has improved following favourable wind conditions and rain patterns since 7am yesterday.
The Air Pollutant Index (API) readings at the Department of Environment’s air quality monitoring stations showed 29 stations registering good air quality while 22 other rated moderate at 5pm yesterday.
The department said yesterday that none of the stations recorded unhealthy levels of air quality.
Port Klang recorded an API reading of 51 yesterday, a big drop from Thursday’s 102.
The worst reading of 83 was registered in Nilai and Seremban.
Malaysian Meteorological Department said that rain was expected in the next few days in the west coast, north and south of peninsular Malaysia.
Meanwhile, rainstorms are expected in the east coast of the peninsula.
Satellite images provided by the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre showed a decrease in Sumatran hotspots from 45 on Thursday to 29 yesterday.
However, there was an increase in hotspots in the country from none on Thursday to eight yesterday.
A satellite image showed major winds blowing from north west to north of peninsula and winds from the southwest – from hotspots in Riau in the central Sumatran province – blowing towards the west coast and south of the peninsula.
The public are advised to avoid open burning and requested to help put out small fires and report any open burning to the Fire and Rescue Department at 999 and Department of Environment at 1-800-88-2727.
It's blue skies, good air quality
Minderjeet Kaur New Straits Times 14 May 11;
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians woke up to clearer skies yesterday after experiencing three days of haze in most parts of the country.
Heavy showers in the past couple of days helped to clear the haze.
The air pollutant index (API) readings also improved, with 56 per cent of areas reporting good air quality. The remaining areas registered moderate readings.
For the first time in three days, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment's website did not record any readings of unhealthy air quality.
The highest API was in Bukit Rambai, Malacca (90), followed by Muar, Johor (84) and Pasir Gudang (83) while other areas nationwide recorded air quality readings of between 30 to 50.
Three days ago, Port Klang and Tanjung Malim had reported unhealthy readings of above 100, but yesterday the readings were reduced to healthy levels.
Universiti Sains Malaysia in Penang recorded the best API reading of 22.
Healthy API readings are 50 and below, moderates are 51 to 100 while unhealthy levels are 101 to 200. Readings above 300 are deemed hazardous.
Meteorological Department weather forecast director Saw Bung Liong said the air quality had improved following recent showers that helped to reduce haze.
"The dry spell is expected to continue in the coming weeks with an overall temperature of 34o to 35o Celsius. We will have rain off and on."
The Health Ministry has advised the public to cut down outdoor activities during the haze.
In a statement, it also advised the public to don face masks if they had to engage in outdoor activities, to drink plenty of water and to maintain good hygiene.
