SINGAPORE: Residents in several parts of Singapore reported hazy skies and the smell of smoke in the air. They include areas such as Chinatown and Marina Bay.
The 24-hour PSI reading as at 4pm on Saturday was 41, with the air quality still in the good range.
The next PSI update on the National Environment Agency (NEA) website will be available at 4pm on Sunday.
NEA
said on its website that the Southwest Monsoon season from June to
September is the traditional dry season for the southern ASEAN region.
It
said periods of dry weather, interspersed with the occasional thundery
showers in the afternoon and "Sumatra" squalls in the pre-dawn and early
morning, are common during this season.
An increase in hotspot activities can be expected during extended periods of dry weather.
With
the prevailing winds blowing predominantly from the Southeast or
Southwest, there is a likelihood that Singapore could be affected by
transboundary smoke haze from Sumatra.
The impact of the smoke
haze depends on factors such as the proximity and extent of the fires,
the strength and direction of the prevailing winds and the incidence and
amount of rain.
NEA said in the past few days, scattered
hotspots with slight to moderate smoke haze have been detected mainly
over the central and southern parts of Sumatra.
The winds over Singapore are expected to blow from the Southeast and occasionally from the south.
Singapore
could experience brief periods of slightly hazy conditions should the
fires in the region persist and if the winds blow from the south.
- CNA/ck
...
Haze worsens in Singapore
SINGAPORE: The haze in Singapore has worsened. The 24-hour PSI reading was 69 as at 7pm Monday, the highest so far this year.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) said this remains within the moderate range.
The worst hit are
the northern and western parts of Singapore. Eastern Singapore remains
within the good range, with a reading of 48.
As the haze continues, the number of respiratory cases here is expected to rise.
Healthway
Medical reported a 15 per cent increase in the number of patients who
came in with respiratory problems like asthma and sore throats.
Separately, childcare centres and kindergartens Channel News Asia spoke with said attendance has been regular.
But they're taking additional precautions if the haze worsens.
- CNA/cc