Hazy conditions expected in next two weeks: NEA

Straits Times 10 Sep 11;

IT'S coming to that time of the year again: Hazy conditions could arrive in the next two weeks, with winds from the south expected to blow smoke from Sumatra towards Singapore.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) said in an air quality update that hot spots with slight to moderate smoke haze had been detected in the central and southern parts of Sumatra.

The months from June to September are the dry season for that region, when farmers and logging companies in Sumatra and Kalimantan take to razing the land.

An NEA spokesman noted that over the past few days, dry weather conditions in the southern and central parts of Sumatra had led to an increase in hot spot activities there.

But so far, south-eastern winds had kept the smoke away from Singapore.

He added, however, that weather conditions may change over the next few days, with winds coming from the south.

'This could bring some of the haze to Singapore,' he said.

Singapore's 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reading at 4pm yesterday was 46, which was within the good air quality range.

PSI readings for August ranged between 28 and 53. Last October, air quality breached the unhealthy threshold of 100 - prompting calls for the Indonesian authorities to take action.

In May, a moratorium was passed in Indonesia which placed about half of the country's primary forest and peatland, or 64 million ha, off limits to development until the end of next year.

Ms Frances Seymour, director-general of the Centre for International Forestry Research, said at the time that this could lead to a reduction in the frequency and severity of haze events over time.

Indonesia is the world's third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases after China and the United States, due largely to deforestation caused by illegal logging, mining and expansion by oil palm plantations.

The NEA recorded more than 380 hot spots in Sumatra on Thursday. The situation remained the same yesterday.

Asked if the haze could worsen, the NEA spokesman said the impact of the smoke haze depends on a few factors, including the strength and direction of prevailing winds and whether or not it rains.

He added: 'NEA is monitoring the situation closely and will provide updates should the air quality deteriorate.'

NG KAI LING