Haze from fires returns to S'pore

Haze from fires returns to S'pore

SINGAPORE (AFP): Thick gray haze believed to be from forest
fires in Indonesia descended upon parts of Singapore yesterday,
cutting visibility and triggering public concern about possible
health repercussions.

The Meteorological Service warned that thick haze may affect
Singapore occasionally until November, and the extent will depend
on wind conditions.

Satellite pictures have shown "smoke patches" from Indonesia's
central and south Sumatra since August, but it only began to
affect Singapore on Monday because of a shift in wind direction,
the agency said in a statement.

Television channel TCS-5 said its hotline had received reports
of haze in central and eastern Singapore districts yesterday.

Last year, clouds of haze generated by Indonesian forest fires
enveloped large sections of Southeast Asia for months, causing
respiratory problems and reducing visibility in ports and
airports.