Rain fails to clear haze

PEKANBARU, Riau: Most of Pekanbaru was still covered by haze yesterday, despite a two-and-a-half hour downpour on Thursday night, Antara reported.

Visibility, however, slowly improved yesterday, from 600 meters at around 7 a.m. to between 1,500 and 2,000 meters by 9 a.m., the news agency quoted the local meteorology office as saying.

"The rain didn't clear all the haze because it didn't originate from Pekanbaru, but from forest fires outside town," Drajat, an officer of the meteorology office, said.

Most Pekanbaru residents welcomed the rain.

Haze has disrupted flight services in and out of Simpang Tiga Airport this past week and has been causing health-related problems, with many people complaining of respiratory problems. (emb)