Haze better this year

Haze better this year

SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore should see slight to moderate haze during the next two weeks as smoke sweeps in its direction, the Straits Times said on Monday.

The haze, which enveloped Singapore in late July, was minor compared with 1997 and 1998 pollution when fires in Sumatra and Borneo caused widespread health and transport problems in Southeast Asia.

The Straits Times said "Singapore was spared the worst of the severe smoke haze which blanketed parts of Indonesia's Riau province last week" thanks to favorable winds and rain.

Forest and scrub fires smoke reached hazardous levels in Indonesia's Riau province, forcing authorities to close kindergartens and advise people to wear masks outside.