NEA Advisory - Update on Haze Situation (17 June 2013)

Singapore, 17 June 2013 – Since this morning, conditions have been visibly hazy and a strong burning smell detected across many parts of Singapore.

2    Drier weather conditions in the region have led to an escalation in hotspot activities mainly over central Sumatra. 101 and 138 hotspots were detected over Sumatra on 15 and 16 June 2013 respectively. The smoke haze from the fires in Sumatra was brought over by prevailing winds blowing from the southwest or west, and has affected Singapore since 13 June 2013. The hazy conditions are expected to persist for the next few days.

3    The 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reading as at 4pm today is in the range of 68 to 83, which is in the Moderate range. The 3-hour PSI reading as at 4pm is 111.

4    Given the current hazy conditions, it is advised that children, the elderly and those with heart or lung diseases, reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor activities. Everyone else should limit prolonged or heavy outdoor activities.

5    The PSI readings and health advisories for the five regions in Singapore (North, South, East, West and Central), which are updated at 8am, 12 noon and 4pm are available at the PSI page. The public can also access PSI updates through the following channels:

• Weather@SG website

• NEA Twitter

• NEA Call Centre at 1800 CALL

• NEA myENV App on iPhone and Android

6    NEA has alerted the Indonesian Ministry of Environment on the haze situation experienced in Singapore, and urged the Indonesian authorities to look into urgent measures to mitigate the transboundary haze occurrence. NEA will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide further update when necessary

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