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Hazy conditions could deteriorate further

SINGAPORE — Haze conditions have deteriorated in Singapore since this morning (Sept 13) as prevailing winds continued to blow in haze from Sumatra, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said.

Hazy conditions as seen on Sept 13, 2015. Photo: Ernest Chua

Hazy conditions as seen on Sept 13, 2015. Photo: Ernest Chua

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SINGAPORE — Haze conditions have deteriorated in Singapore since this morning (Sept 13) as prevailing winds continued to blow in haze from Sumatra, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said.

Prevailing winds are forecast to blow from the south-southeast to south-southwest for the rest of today and tomorrow, the NEA said, adding that the 24-hour PSI for the next 24 hours is expected to be in the mid to high sections of the unhealthy range, and may enter the low section of Very Unhealthy range if the unfavourable winds bring in denser haze from Sumatra.

"The current hazy conditions are expected to persist for the rest of today and tomorrow. For tomorrow, the prevailing winds are forecast to blow from the south or southwest, and the haze situation could deteriorate as the current unfavourable winds may blow in denser haze from Sumatra. Thundery showers forecasted for Singapore in the late morning and early afternoon tomorrow may only bring a short temporary respite," a NEA situation update at 6pm wrote. 

As of 1am (Sept 14), the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) was 143-168, nearing the middle of the unhealthy range. The 3-hour PSI was at 222.

At 7.28pm, the NEA's Haze Situation Update said that three hotspots were detected in Sumatra today. "The low hotspot count was due to cloud cover over some areas of Sumatra," according to the NEA. "Widespread moderate to dense haze continued to be observed in central and southern Sumatra," the agency added.  

This morning’s Singtel-Singapore Cancer Society Race Against Cancer run was cancelled as PSI levels were still within the unhealthy range as at 9pm yesterday. Organisers of the running event said they made the decision “for the safety and health of runners, volunteers, staff and beneficiaries”.

Registered 15km and 10km runners can collect their finishers’ medal at the Singapore Cancer Society office instead.

A second event, the POSB PAssion Run For Kids, cancelled the 10km Adults' Competitive race and Kids' Run categories this morning citing the 3-hour PSI reading of 147 at 5am as the reason. However, the 3.5km Family Walk is still scheduled to proceed, provided the PSI level at 8am is below 150, according to a statement from organisers. 

Participants of the competitive races can collect their medals at the carnival, which is still on, according to POSB. Alternatively, medals can be collected at a later date, with organisers announcing more details soon. 

POSB said: "Like you, we are disappointed as we have been looking forward to the run. However, your health and safety are of utmost importance to us, and we seek your kind understanding."

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