Vimita Mohandas Channel NewsAsia 30 Sep 13;
SINGAPORE: Singapore experienced slightly hazy conditions on Monday.
Its Pollutant Standard Index (PSI), which is a measure of air quality, rose to a three-hour average of 48 at 4pm which is still in the "good range".
The moderate range starts at 51.
Providing an update on his Facebook page, Environment and Water Resources Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan said the hazy condition was due to the southwest winds blowing from hotspots in Riau and local accumulation of particulate matter over Singapore.
He added that the situation should improve as rain is forecast over the next few days which could help put out the fires in Riau.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) says the 24-hour PSI for the next 24 hours is expected to be in the good range.
- CNA/ir
Rain should improve haze conditions: Vivian
Feng Zengkun Straits Times 1 Oct 13;
THE haze here yesterday was exacerbated by unfavourable winds, Environment and Water Resources Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said yesterday.
But rain over the next few days should improve the situation, he added.
The National Environment Agency said the air here should remain healthy today as the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) is expected to be in the "good" range.
"Singapore may experience slightly hazy conditions in the morning, but all people can continue with normal activities," the agency said in an advisory.
The three-hour PSI reading climbed to 48 at 3pm yesterday, just shy of the "moderate" range of 51-100, before falling again in the evening.
People around Singapore complained of hazy conditions and a burning smell in the air in the afternoon.
Dr Balakrishnan said in a Facebook post last night that the "visible haze" was partly due to south-westerly winds blowing from hot spots or fires in Riau province, Indonesia.
The number of hot spots in Sumatra had risen over the weekend from about 25 to 33, according to satellite maps, but some could have been obscured by cloud cover.
"Fortunately, the situation should improve as rain is forecasted over the next few days to douse the fires in Riau," he said.
Last week, Dr Balakrishnan and his Asean counterparts agreed to set up a task force comprising experts on fire and haze assessment and coordination.
This task force will review existing alert levels and formulate trigger points for action. This will help the authorities to act on haze sooner.
Haze in Singapore and Malaysia from forest fires in Riau broke a 16-year record in June, prompting demands for action.
