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