Spectre of haze as hot spots spike

Today Online 27 Aug 13;

SINGAPORE — With a “sharp increase” in the number of hot spots detected in parts of Indonesia over the past few days, a shift in the wind direction could bring back the haze, the National Environment Agency (NEA) warned yesterday.

The number of hot spots detected yesterday was 488 — similar to that recorded when Singapore experienced its worst bout of haze on record in June, when the PSI hit 401. Then, over 400 fires were detected in Sumatra. By contrast, only 29 hot spots were detected last Tuesday. Most of the hot spots detected yesterday were in the Riau province. The NEA said “moderate to dense smoke plumes” were observed over some hot spots in central Sumatra. It added that its Chief Executive Officer Ronnie Tay has written and spoken to his Indonesian counterparts to register Singapore’s concerns over the spike in the number of hot spots, and has “sought an urgent update from the Indonesians on the situation”.

Calling the spike in hot spots “an exercise in frustration”, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan last night said Singapore has been spared so far because of the wind direction. “We remain at risk. Have to keep up the pressure on the Indonesian authorities and companies to do the right thing for the sake of their own citizens and ours,” he wrote on his Facebook page.

As at 7pm yesterday, the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reading was 24 to 32, and the 24-hour PM2.5 reading was 12-15 micrograms per cubic metre.

The NEA said dry weather conditions are expected to prevail in central and southern Sumatra, while the low-level winds over Singapore are expected to blow from the south or south-east.

“Should the winds weaken and blow from the south-west over the next few days, there is a possibility that Singapore could experience slightly hazy conditions,” the agency said in a statement yesterday evening.

The NEA said thundery showers are expected today in the late morning and early afternoon. Given the favourable wind conditions, the 24-hour PSI reading until 6pm today is expected to be in the “good” band — 50 and below — and the 24-hour PM2.5 reading is expected to be slightly elevated.

The ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre, hosted by the Meteorological Service Singapore, has placed Sumatra on Alert Level 2 — out of three levels — of its regional warning system for the fire and haze situation. Level 2 is activated when 150 hot spots or more are detected on two consecutive days, with dry weather conditions persisting and prevailing winds blowing towards other ASEAN countries.

The alert levels are issued to the interim ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution, which in turn disseminates it to member countries.

The public — including the elderly, pregnant women, children and those with chronic medical conditions — can still continue with normal activities for the day. The NEA said it will update the public if there are any changes in the haze situation.

Last Tuesday, the three-hour PSI readings crept up to hit the moderate range of 56 in the afternoon, but dipped back to the good range in the evening, as a result of wind conditions.

Number of hotspots rise, “slightly hazier” conditions expected: NEA
Today Online 26 Aug 13;

SINGAPORE — With a “sharp increase” in the number of hotspots detected in parts of Indonesia over the past few days, expect “slightly hazier” days ahead depending on wind conditions, the National Environment Agency (NEA) warned today (Aug 26).

The latest number of hotspots as of today was 488, of which 267 are in Riau province and 66 in South Sumatra. The NEA also said “moderate to dense smoke plumes” were observed over some of the hotspots in central Sumatra. Last Tuesday, the number of hotspots detected in Sumatra was 29.

The NEA said its Chief Executive Officer Ronnie Tay has written and spoken to his Indonesian counterparts to register Singapore’s concerns over the sharp increase in hotspot counts, and has “sought an urgent update from the Indonesians on the situation”.

Calling the spike in hot spots “an exercise in frustration”, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan said, Singapore has been spared so far because of the wind direction. “We remain at risk. Have to keep up the pressure on the Indonesian authorities and companies to do the right thing for the sake of their own citizens and ours,” he wrote on his Facebook page tonight.

As of 7pm, the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index reading was 24 to 32, and the 24-hour PM2.5 reading was 12-15 µg/m3. The NEA said that dry weather conditions are expected to prevail in central and southern Sumatra, while the low-level winds over Singapore are expected to blow from the south or southeast.

“Should the winds weaken and blow from the southwest over the next few days, there is a possibility that Singapore could experience slightly hazy conditions,” the agency said in a statement.

The NEA said thundery showers are expected tomorrow in the late morning and early afternoon. Given the favourable wind conditions, the 24-hour PSI reading until 6pm tomorrow is expected to be in the “Good” band — 50 and below — and the 24-hour PM2.5 reading is expected to be slightly elevated.

The ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC), hosted by the Meteorological Service Singapore, has placed Sumatra on Alert Level 2 — out of three levels — of its regional warning system for the fire and haze situation. Level 2 is activated when 150 hotspots or more are detected on two consecutive days, with dry weather conditions persisting and prevailing winds blowing towards other ASEAN countries.

The alert levels are issued to the interim ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution which in turn disseminates it to the ASEAN member countries.

The public — including the elderly, pregnant women, children and those with chronic medical conditions — can still continue with normal activities for the day. The NEA will update the public if there are any changes in the haze situation.

Last Tuesday, the three-hour PSI readings crept up to hit the moderate range of 56 in the afternoon, but dipped back to the good range in the evening, as a result of wind conditions.

Haze to return?
Channel NewsAsia 26 Aug 13;

SINGAPORE: The number of hotspots in Sumatra jumped to 488 on Monday to hit its highest in 30 days, says the National Environment Agency (NEA).

The number compared with 225 on Sunday and 86 the day before.

The NEA says moderate to dense smoke plumes could be seen coming from some of the hotspots in central Sumatra.

Currently, low-level winds over Singapore are forecast to blow from the south or southeast.

But the NEA warns that Singapore could experience slightly hazy conditions over the next few days if the winds weaken and blow from the southwest.

NEA's CEO, Mr Ronnie Tay, has written and spoken to his Indonesian counterparts to register Singapore's concerns over the sharp increase in hotspot counts in Sumatra.

The NEA says Mr Tay also sought an urgent update from the Indonesians on the situation.

Meanwhile, Singapore's Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan described the situation with the haze as "an exercise in frustration".

Posting on his Facebook page, he noted that the hotspots in Sumatra have increased to 488.

Dr Balakrishnan said Singapore has been spared so far of the effects of the hotspots because of wind direction, but remains at risk.

He said Singapore would "have to keep up the pressure on Indonesian authorities and companies to do the right thing for the sake of their own citizens and ours".

- CNA/ir

Haze expected with number of hot spots in Sumatra up at 488
David Ee Straits Times 27 Aug 13;

SINGAPORE may have to prepare for hazier skies over the next few days, after the number of hot spots in Sumatra nearly soared to 488 from 86 over the last three days.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) said last night that dense smoke plumes observed over central Sumatra may be blown here if current southerly and south-easterly winds started blowing Singapore's way instead.

This may cause "slightly hazy conditions", it added.

As of 7pm yesterday, the three-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reading stood at 32, remaining in the good range. The 24-hour PSI forecast that ends at 6pm today is expected to be in the good range.

A PSI reading above 50 up to 100 is "moderate", while readings over 100 are "unhealthy".

The NEA added that it had registered its concern about the latest surge in forest fires with the Indonesian authorities, requesting "an urgent update" from them.

Just last Tuesday, Singapore woke to find a slight haze, which was caused by farmers in Indonesia burning plantations to clear land for the next planting season, enveloping parts of the island.

The three-hour PSI reading that day hit a high of 56 - the highest since the 71 registered on June 30.

The haze was gone the day after, but the temporary spike in the PSI reading caused a buzz, with memories of Singapore's most severe incident still fresh.

On June 21, the PSI had hit a historic high of 401, making the air here "hazardous" and sparking a surge in demand for protective N95 masks.

Climate scientist Matthias Roth, deputy head of geography at the National University of Singapore, said that it "shouldn't be a surprise" that the haze may threaten to return during this time of year.

This is because of prevailing south-west monsoon winds, he said, which coincide with the ongoing dry season in Sumatra.

The dry season, which experts have said is especially arid this year, is expected to last until monsoon rains arrive around October.