Hazy conditions could persist up to 2 days: NEA

AsiaOne 3 Sep 15;

SINGAPORE - Singapore has been experiencing hazy conditions since early this morning, said the National Environmental Agency (NEA) in a news release, and current hazy conditions are expected to persist for the next one to two days.

The air quality in Singapore is expected to move into the low end of the Unhealthy range over the next few hours. The conditions can improve if the wind speeds pick up.

The haziness is due to the spread of smoke haze from Sumatra under weakening wind conditions over Singapore. A total of 395 hotspots were detected in Sumatra yesterday, according to NEA.

Latest satellite image today showed persisting widespread moderate to dense smoke haze in central and southern Sumatra.

NEA's Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ronnie Tay, wrote to his Indonesian counterpart two days ago to register Singapore's concerns over the situation and to seek an urgent update on the ground situation.

NEA said they had first contacted them two weeks ago, and will continue to be in touch with them regarding the deteriorating hotspot situation in Sumatra.

Healthy persons are advised to reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion in these weather conditions.

Elderly, pregnant women and children should minimise prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion, while those with chronic lung or heart disease should avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion, NEA advised.

Persons who are not feeling well, especially the elderly and children, and those with chronic heart or lung conditions, should seek medical attention, said NEA.

NEA said they will continue to monitor the situation closely and issue updates as the need arises.

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