Sumatra rain gives respite from haze

Sumatra rain gives respite from haze

SINGAPORE: Rain in the Indonesian island of Sumatra has given Singapore a respite from the haze, but scientists warned on Thursday the forest fires are likely to return next month with the onslaught of a dry spell.

Satellite images of hotspots, areas on fire, have plunged to fewer than 10 a day over the past week compared to 300 on June 20, National University of Singapore experts told The Straits Times.

Smoke from the land-clearing fires had shrouded parts of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. At their worst, people with asthma and other respiratory conditions here were urged to stay indoors.

The air quality has improved. The 24-hour Pollution Standards Index (PSI) reading was 30, compared with 52 on June 23 when the haze swept into the city-state.

Readings above 100 are considered unhealthy. -- DPA