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  Channel NewsAsia 14 Aug 06
Haze returns to Singapore
 By Wong Mun Wai, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : The haze is back and the latest figures from the National Environment Agency's meteorological office show 352 fires or hotspots are burning on Sumatra.

An increase of smoke particles has pushed up the PSI value or pollution index from Sunday's good range of 48 to 52 on Monday, which is in the moderate range.

But meteorologists say compared with last year, the number of moderate haze days so far is almost seven times lower. They are using satellite images to track the path of the haze. The pictures from space are beamed back to the meteorological centre of the National Environment Agency at Changi Airport where staff can examine the data.

The chief meteorological officer expects the current haze spell to last for the next two or three days, and return once a week until the end of the haze season in October.

Yong Miow Koon, Chief Meteorological Officer, Meteorological Services Division, National Environment Agency, said, "Once we get the south-westerly wind, you can expect probably several days of moderate PSI days in Singapore, because the smoke haze will be transported directly from the fires in Sumatra to Singapore."

But the meteorological office expects the pollution index to hover around the high 40s or low 50s mark during the hazy days - in the good to moderate level. - CNA/ms
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