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