2006 Southeast Asian haze: Difference between revisions
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==Singapore== |
==Singapore== |
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[[Image:Downtown Core, Singapore, Oct 06.JPG|thumb|right|250px|[[Singapore]]'s [[Downtown Core]] on 7 October 2006, when it was affected by [[wildfire|forest fires]] in [[Sumatra]], [[Indonesia]].]] |
[[Image:Downtown Core, Singapore, Oct 06.JPG|thumb|right|250px|[[Singapore]]'s [[Downtown Core]] on 7 October 2006, when it was affected by [[wildfire|forest fires]] in [[Sumatra]], [[Indonesia]].]] |
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Singapore was largely spared from the haze until 0800 hours, [[7 October]] [[2006]] when the 3 hour [[Pollutant Standards Index]] reading breached the 100 mark and entered unhealthy levels for the first time in the year. At 1000 hours, it hit 130, the highest in three years, subsided to 80 in the afternoon, but climbed rapidly to 150 by 2100 hours <ref>http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/234369/1/.html</ref>, the worse since 1997 when the index reached 138< |
Singapore was largely spared from the haze until 0800 hours, [[7 October]] [[2006]] when the 3 hour [[Pollutant Standards Index]] reading breached the 100 mark and entered unhealthy levels for the first time in the year. At 1000 hours, it hit 130, the highest in three years, subsided to 80 in the afternoon, but climbed rapidly to 150 by 2100 hours <ref>http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/234369/1/.html</ref>, the worse since 1997 when the index reached 138 <ref>http://news.asiaone.com/a1news/20061007_story1_3.html</ref>, before ending the day at 136. |
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The highest 3-hour average PSI ever recorded was 226 in September 1997. |
The highest 3-hour average PSI ever recorded was 226 in September 1997. |
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Revision as of 18:36, 8 October 2006
 | This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. |
The 2006 Southeast Asian haze affects several countries in the Southeast Asian region and beyond. Caused by continued open uncontrolled burning (slash and burn) activities in Indonesia, the haze has so far spread to Malaysia, Singapore, southern Thailand and as far as Saipan, [1], although local sources do partly contribute to the increased toxicity, particularly in high pollution areas such as ports, oil refineries and dense urban areas. In the highly urbanised and industrialised Klang Valley in particular, the surrounding terrain acts as a natural retainer of polluted air, aggravating the situation when the haze sets in. The Klang Valley area includes the financial hub of Kuala Lumpur, the city of Petaling Jaya and various other districts and mukims.
Malaysia
The effects of the haze started in early July and affected the northern Malaysian states severely. However, the haze had cleared substantially throughout Peninsular Malaysia from August 29 2006 due to raining season. The rain reduced the number of hotspots throughout Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula. On the August 30 2006, The Star reported that Kuala Lumpur would be free of haze during the Merdeka Day. In the late evening just before midnight on the August 31 2006, visibility in the Klang Valley was recorded to be very good.
Unfortunately, the haze returned again in late September. This was due to a change of wind direction towards the south west partially caused by Typhoon Xangsane. The worst hit place was Kuching, where the Air Pollution Index (API) nearly reached 300, which borders the hazardous category of the API. The worst affected area in Peninsular Malaysia is Johor Bahru which recorded an API of 150 on October 7 and October 8. For now, many people are wearing masks to prevent themselves from inhaling excessive amounts of haze. On October 7, visibility in parts of East Malaysia fell to 300 metres. Sarawak has started cloud seeding attempts to try to encourage rainfall that will help relieve the haze. [2]
Singapore
Singapore was largely spared from the haze until 0800 hours, 7 October 2006 when the 3 hour Pollutant Standards Index reading breached the 100 mark and entered unhealthy levels for the first time in the year. At 1000 hours, it hit 130, the highest in three years, subsided to 80 in the afternoon, but climbed rapidly to 150 by 2100 hours [3], the worse since 1997 when the index reached 138 [4], before ending the day at 136. The highest 3-hour average PSI ever recorded was 226 in September 1997.
Thailand
In July, southern Thai states suffered an on and off bout of haze. [1]
