Haze has receded

Haze has receded

SINGAPORE (Reuters): The risk of a return of severe smog to Southeast Asia has faded, Singapore said yesterday.

"While hot spots will continue to be detected from time to time, the risk of recurrence of a severe or sustained smoke haze episode has now receded," the Ministry of the Environment and the Meteorological Service Singapore said in a joint statement.

Choking smog, most stemming from fires in Indonesia made worse by dry weather, plagued much of Southeast Asia for months in 1997.

Air pollution rose to unhealthy levels, driving many indoors and on occasion forcing closures of schools, businesses and airports in the region. Tourism suffered heavily as well.

The Singapore statement said: "The El Nio event which had brought abnormally dry weather conditions to the region is virtually over, and weather conditions are now returning to normal." The Environment Ministry is ending hourly announcements of the level of air pollution, although it will continue providing daily announcements, the statement said.