Hotspots in neighbouring Sumatra increase from 29 to 222

AsiaOne 31 Aug 15;

SINGAPORE - The number of hotspots detected in the neighbouring Indonesian island of Sumatra has increased from 29 to 222 as of today (Aug 31).

"The (earlier) low hotspot count was due to cloud cover over parts of the island," the National Environment Agency (NEA) said in its daily update.

The nearly eight-fold increase comes amidst reports of haze plaguing the region.

NEA said in a tweet at 8.50pm that moderate to dense haze was observed in wide swathes of southern and central Sumatra, which lies to the west of Singapore. Moderate haze was also visible in Riau, Jambi and South Sumatra.

However, Singapore's 3-hour PSI dropped slightly at 8pm from 63 to 59, which falls in the moderate range.

NEA also said in an earlier tweet that the 24-hr PSI for tomorrow is expected to remain in the moderate range, and that there may be an occasional slight haze if winds blow from the south.

'Some deterioration' in haze situation in Sumatra: NEA
A total of 222 hotspots were discovered in Sumatra on Monday (Aug 31), marking a "deterioration" in the haze situation there, the National Environment Agency says in an advisory.
Channel NewsAsia 31 Aug 15;

SINGAPORE: A total of 222 hotspots were discovered in Sumatra on Monday (Aug 31), marking a "deterioration" in the haze situation there, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said in an advisory.

This is a sharp increase from 29 hotspots found on Sunday. “Widespread moderate to dense haze was observed in southern and central Sumatra (on Monday),” NEA said.

Prevailing winds are forecast to blow from the southeast on Tuesday. NEA said there may be “occasional slight haze” in Singapore on Tuesday if prevailing winds shift to blow from the south.

NEA said the 24-hour PSI on Monday as of 8pm stood at 56-62, which is in the Moderate range. It added that the 24-hour PSI in the next 24 hours is expected to be in the Moderate range as well.

- CNA/dl