Singapore smog from Indonesia fire 'could last
weeks'
Singapore's
prime minister has warned that the haze engulfing the city-state
could last for weeks, as air pollution soared to record
levels.
The pollution standards index peaked at 371 on Thursday, breaking
previous records and well above hazardous levels, before falling to
about 300.
The haze is the result of forest fires started by farmers clearing
land on the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
The issue has sparked accusations between the two neighbours.
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore's Environment and Water Resources
Minister, wrote on his Facebook wall that he would demand
"definitive action" from Jakarta.
"No country or corporation has the right to pollute the air at the
expense of Singaporeans' health and wellbeing," he said.
However, Indonesian Minister for People's Welfare Agung Laksono
said that Singapore was "behaving like a child".
"This is not what the Indonesian nation wants, it is because of
nature," he said.
Environment officials from the two nations have been holding an
emergency meeting in Jakarta, to discuss the issue.
Since the haze arrived, Singapore's buildings have been obscured by
the polluted air and the smell of burnt wood has permeated the
city-state.
A PSI reading above 200 indicates "very unhealthy" air, while a PSI
score above 300 is "hazardous". Readings are being posted
on the
website of the National Environment Agency.
At a press conference, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong
said the haze could "easily last for several weeks and quite
possibly longer until the dry season ends in Sumatra".
Mr Lee asked Singaporeans to "stay indoors where possible and avoid
heavy outdoor activities".
He also announced that the Singaporean government would hold daily
press conferences on the haze situation.
Air traffic controllers in Singapore have been told to work with
extra caution given the poor visibility, while McDonald's has
temporarily cancelled its delivery service.
The Singaporean military has also reportedly suspended all outdoor
training.
The poor air quality has prompted widespread buying of disposable
face masks, leading shops to run out of stock.
Parts of Malaysia have also recorded "hazardous" pollution levels,
with over 200 schools in the country's south ordered to shut.
Malaysia's Department of Environment has also banned open burning
in some states.
Cloud seeding
Indonesia's forestry ministry said it intended to use cloud seeding
to try to induce rain on the affected area of Sumatra.
The haze blew into Singapore late last week and pollution levels
started to soar on Monday. Skyscrapers disappeared into a dense
white gloom and a smell of burning enveloped the city.
On Thursday, as haze levels hit a new record peak, visibility was
even further reduced. From our office downtown, we cannot make out
the shoreline less than a kilometre away. At the port, big
container ships emerge ghost-like out of the haze to berth.
People are complaining of dry throats, itchy eyes and a bad taste
in their mouths. Laundry hung outside to dry smells like it was
left next to a bonfire.
Children and the elderly are being advised to stay indoors until
conditions improve - but it is not clear how soon that will be.
Indonesian officials have suggested that foreign palm oil
investors, including Singaporean companies, may bear some
responsibility for the fires.
However, several major Singapore-based palm oil companies have
denied any involvement.
Singapore's prime minister said the city-state had provided
satellite data to Indonesia to help identify who was responsible
for the fires.
He added that if any Singaporean companies, or companies with a
presence in Singapore played a part in the fires, they would be
held responsible.
In 1997 and 1998, many countries in the region were affected by the
South East Asian haze, which was caused by smog from Indonesian
fires.
Road and air traffic was disrupted, and the smog is thought to have
made around 20 million people ill.
The haze led to an agreement on trans-boundary haze pollution being
approved by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in
2002.
However, Indonesia has yet to ratify the agreement.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22982018
oops, please shift to haze thread.
