Hazy conditions to return briefly in Singapore, no major hotspots detected: NEA

NEA says the air quality is considered to be in the unhealthy range if the 24-hour PSI readings are above 101.

Haze from Indonesian fires cost Singapore S$700 million in 2015
People sit on deck chairs near the city skyline shrouded by haze in Singapore October 23, 2015. Reuters (Representational Image)

The National Environment Agency (NEA) of Singapore said that no major hotspots have been detected in the region and the current likelihood of a return of transboundary haze "is low". The report comes after the skies over Singapore turned hazy for a brief spell on Friday.

NEA said the hazy conditions, particularly over southern and eastern Singapore early on Friday morning, was due to "accumulation of particulate matter under light wind conditions". However, the skies cleared up soon after the widespread heavy rainfall in Singapore in the morning.

"Based on the latest satellite images, there were no significant hotspots or smoke haze detected in the nearby region," NEA told Today Online. "The likelihood of transboundary haze affecting Singapore is low," the statement added.

On Friday morning, some of the residents witnessed the sight of haze in the Singapore sky as the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) readings edged towards to the unhealthy range.

According to reports, the overall 24-hour PSI reading for Singapore at 7 am was between 62 and 93, while the southern and eastern parts of the country registered the highest readings, at 93 and 87 respectively. However, the readings have fallen since the rainfall.

The overall 24-hour PSI readings for Singapore were between 59 to 87 at 3 pm. The authorities said the reading is in the moderate range at present. NEA added that the air quality is considered to be in the unhealthy range when the 24-hour PSI readings are above 101.

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