Channel NewsAsia 6 Mar 14;
SINGAPORE: The National Environment Agency (NEA) said Singapore may be affected by transboundary haze in the second half of March, if hotspots in Sumatra persist and prevailing winds in the region shift westwards temporarily.
Prolonged dry weather affecting parts of the region in the last two months has resulted in an escalation of hotspot activities in central and northern Sumatra since early February.
On Wednesday, 47 hotspots were detected in Peninsular Malaysia and six hotspots detected in Sumatra.
But NEA said the low hotspot count for Sumatra was due to cloud cover and partial satellite coverage.
Although increased rainfall can be expected later in the month, total rainfall for March is forecast to be below average in most parts of the region.
NEA said with the expected transition from the northeast monsoon to the inter-monsoon period in the second half of March, winds in the region will turn light and variable in direction.
The inter-monsoon period typically lasts from late March to May.
Air quality in Singapore deteriorated slightly into the 'moderate' range between 8pm on Tuesday and 4am on Wednesday.
The 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) range over that period was 51 to 52.
NEA said this was due to an accumulation of particulate matter in the atmosphere under converging wind conditions.
The air quality had returned to the 'good' range at 5am on Wednesday.
Prolonged dry weather affecting parts of the region in the last two months resulted in an escalation of hotspot activities in central and northern Sumatra since early February 2014.
Smoke plumes and widespread moderate to dense haze are visible in Riau province.
In the past week, elevated hotspot activities were also detected in parts of Peninsular Malaysia.
NEA said it will continue to monitor the situation and more updates will be provided as necessary.
- CNA/xq
Haze may return later this month as winds shift: NEA
Today Online 7 Mar 14;
SINGAPORE — The haze could return to Singapore later this month with the arrival of the period between monsoons, when winds become light and change direction more easily.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) said yesterday that 47 hot spots were detected in Peninsula Malaysia on March 5. Six were detected in Sumatra.
Noting that the prolonged dry weather in the region had led to an increase in the number of hot spots in central and northern Sumatra since last month, the agency said the low number detected on March 5 was due to cloud cover and partial satellite coverage. Smoke plumes and widespread moderate to dense haze are visible in Riau province, the NEA said.
Although increased rainfall can be expected later this month, total rainfall for March is expected to be below average in most parts of the region.
“With the expected transition from the North-east Monsoon to the inter-monsoon period in the second half of March 2014, winds in the region will turn light and variable in direction,” the agency said.
“This may pose some risk of transboundary haze affecting Singapore should the hot spots in Sumatra persist and the prevailing winds in our region temporarily turn westerly. The inter-monsoon period typically lasts from late March to May.”
The 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reading between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning was in the “Moderate” range of 51 to 52. The NEA said the deterioration was a result of particulate matter accumulating in the atmosphere under converging wind conditions.
The air quality returned to the “Good” level after 5am on Wednesday.
More shops may up prices of Malaysian fruits, veggies
Carolyn Khew The Straits Times AsiaOne 7 Mar 14;
SINGAPORE - The price of certain fruits and vegetables coming in from Malaysia could go up at more stores here if the dry spell continues.
Supermarkets and most wholesalers here said that their prices are stable for now, even though some shops have already admitted to hiking prices by up to 25 per cent for fruits such as watermelon and papaya.
The dry spell, which started in January, has caused water supplies at dams in states such as Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Johor to be at critical levels. Water rationing has also come into force in parts of the country, where rain is not expected until at least the middle of this month.
Madam Wang Quee Chiang, who owns two fruit stalls in Toa Payoh, has increased the price of a kilogram of watermelon from $2 to $2.50 due to the shortage in supply from Malaysia. A kilogram of papaya at her shop costs $2 now, an increase of 20 cents.
"Fruits such as these are high in water content and they need water to grow," she said. "With no rain, the supply will definitely be affected."
Mr Tay Khiam Back, chairman of Singapore Fruits and Vegetables Importers and Exporters Association, said that the dry spell will continue to affect supplies to Singapore if it persists.
However, retailers and wholesalers here can always look for other sources, such as Vietnam and Thailand, to make up for any shortfall, he added.
While major supermarkets have not raised prices, some have seen a decrease in the supply of some Malaysian vegetables and fruits.
Papayas, watermelons and leafy vegetables such as kangkung from across the Causeway have gone down by about 10 to 15 per cent at Giant, said a spokesman for Dairy Farm, which runs the chain.
While Sheng Siong declined to reveal figures on how much its supplies of Malaysian produce have fallen, a spokesman said that it will "top up" from other countries like Thailand and Vietnam to keep prices stable. She added that should price increases become "inevitable" if the dry spell continues, they will be "gradual".
Malaysia was the biggest source of fresh and chilled vegetables and fruit last year, said the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority, adding that it is closely monitoring the situation in Malaysia and will work with traders on alternative sources if necessary.
Part-time saleswoman Soon Kam Mee, 56, says she will continue to buy Malaysian fruit regardless of price increases, "especially now that the weather is hot".
