192 hotspots detected in Sumatra: NEA

"Occasional hazy conditions" can be expected through Tuesday in Singapore, the National Environment Agency says.
Channel NewsAsia 24 Aug 15;

SINGAPORE: Air quality is expected to be “in the high end of the Moderate range” given the 24-hour Pollutant Standard Index (PSI) forecast over the next 24 hours, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said on Monday evening.

It noted that Singapore experienced occasional slightly hazy conditions in the afternoon. The three-hour PSI peaked at 91 in the afternoon, before falling to 82 at 7pm. The 24-hour PSI at 7pm was 70-76. This was due to prevailing winds blowing in haze from Sumatra, said NEA.

The number of hotspots detected in Sumatra more than doubled from 84 on Sunday to 192 on Monday, NEA said. "Smoke plumes were observed to emanate from some of the hotspots," the agency added.

Showers are expected on Tuesday afternoon, but Singapore could still see “occasional hazy conditions” if prevailing winds blow from the south, NEA added. It had earlier said the haze was caused by smoke from fires in Sumatra.

NEA said given the air quality forecast for the next 24 hours, "everyone can continue with normal activities".

The three-hour PSI reading peaked at 103 last Thursday, with a corresponding 24-hour PSI of 68-82. NEA said that a total of 132 hotspots were detected in Sumatra that day.

- CNA/xq