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| Singapore smog 'could last for weeks' | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Singapore's prime minister has warned that the haze engulfing the city could last for weeks, as air pollution in the city-state soared to record levels. | Singapore's prime minister has warned that the haze engulfing the city could last for weeks, as air pollution in the city-state soared to record levels. |
| At 13:00 local time (05:00 GMT) Singapore's pollution standards index reached 371, breaking all previous records and reaching hazardous levels. | At 13:00 local time (05:00 GMT) Singapore's pollution standards index reached 371, breaking all previous records and reaching hazardous levels. |
| The haze is caused by illegal forest fires in Indonesia's Sumatra island. | The haze is caused by illegal forest fires in Indonesia's Sumatra island. |
| The issue has sparked accusations between the two neighbours over who is responsible for the smog. | The issue has sparked accusations between the two neighbours over who is responsible for the smog. |
| Environment officials from the two nations are holding an emergency meeting in Jakarta today. | Environment officials from the two nations are holding an emergency meeting in Jakarta today. |
| Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore's Environment and Water Resources Minister, wrote on his Facebook wall that he would demand "definitive action" from Jakarta. | Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore's Environment and Water Resources Minister, wrote on his Facebook wall that he would demand "definitive action" from Jakarta. |
| "No country or corporation has the right to pollute the air at the expense of Singaporeans' health and wellbeing," he said. | "No country or corporation has the right to pollute the air at the expense of Singaporeans' health and wellbeing," he said. |
| However, Indonesian Minister for People's Welfare Agung Laksono said that Singapore was "behaving like a child". | However, Indonesian Minister for People's Welfare Agung Laksono said that Singapore was "behaving like a child". |
| "This is not what the Indonesian nation wants, it is because of nature," he said. | "This is not what the Indonesian nation wants, it is because of nature," he said. |
| 'Cloud seeding' | 'Cloud seeding' |
| Since the haze arrived, Singapore's buildings have been obscured by the polluted air and the smell of burnt wood has permeated the city-state. | Since the haze arrived, Singapore's buildings have been obscured by the polluted air and the smell of burnt wood has permeated the city-state. |
| A PSI reading above 200 indicates "very unhealthy" air, while a PSI score above 300 is "hazardous". | A PSI reading above 200 indicates "very unhealthy" air, while a PSI score above 300 is "hazardous". |
| At a press conference, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the haze could "easily last for several weeks and quite possibly longer until the dry season ends in Sumatra". | At a press conference, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the haze could "easily last for several weeks and quite possibly longer until the dry season ends in Sumatra". |
| Mr Lee asked Singaporeans to "stay indoors where possible and avoid heavy outdoor activities". | Mr Lee asked Singaporeans to "stay indoors where possible and avoid heavy outdoor activities". |
| He has also announced that the Singaporean government will hold daily press conferences on the haze situation. | He has also announced that the Singaporean government will hold daily press conferences on the haze situation. |
| Air traffic controllers in Singapore have been told to work with extra caution given the poor visibility, while McDonald's has temporarily cancelled its delivery service. | Air traffic controllers in Singapore have been told to work with extra caution given the poor visibility, while McDonald's has temporarily cancelled its delivery service. |
| The Singaporean military has also reportedly suspended all outdoor training. | The Singaporean military has also reportedly suspended all outdoor training. |
| The poor air quality has prompted widespread buying of disposable face masks, leading shops to run out of stock. | The poor air quality has prompted widespread buying of disposable face masks, leading shops to run out of stock. |
| Parts of Malaysia have also recorded "hazardous" pollution levels, with over 200 schools in the country's south ordered to shut. | Parts of Malaysia have also recorded "hazardous" pollution levels, with over 200 schools in the country's south ordered to shut. |
| Malaysia's Department of Environment has also banned open burning in some states. | Malaysia's Department of Environment has also banned open burning in some states. |
| Transboundary pollution | Transboundary pollution |
| Indonesia's forestry ministry said it intended to use cloud seeding to try to induce rain on Sumatra, AFP news agency reported. | Indonesia's forestry ministry said it intended to use cloud seeding to try to induce rain on Sumatra, AFP news agency reported. |
| The fires are started to clear land for plantations and generate smoke, particularly in the dry season. | The fires are started to clear land for plantations and generate smoke, particularly in the dry season. |
| Indonesian officials have suggested that foreign palm oil investors, including Singaporean companies, may bear some responsibility for the fires. | Indonesian officials have suggested that foreign palm oil investors, including Singaporean companies, may bear some responsibility for the fires. |
| However, several major Singapore-based palm oil companies have denied any involvement. | However, several major Singapore-based palm oil companies have denied any involvement. |
| Singapore's prime minister said the city-state had provided satellite data to Indonesia to help identify who was responsible for the fires. | Singapore's prime minister said the city-state had provided satellite data to Indonesia to help identify who was responsible for the fires. |
| He added that if any Singaporean companies, or companies with a presence in Singapore played a part in the fires, they would be held responsible. | He added that if any Singaporean companies, or companies with a presence in Singapore played a part in the fires, they would be held responsible. |
| In 1997 and 1998, many countries in the region were affected by the South East Asian haze, which was caused by smog from Indonesian fires. | In 1997 and 1998, many countries in the region were affected by the South East Asian haze, which was caused by smog from Indonesian fires. |
| Road and air traffic was disrupted, and reports said the smog made around 20 million people ill. | Road and air traffic was disrupted, and reports said the smog made around 20 million people ill. |
| The haze led to an agreement on transboundary haze pollution being approved by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in 2002. | The haze led to an agreement on transboundary haze pollution being approved by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in 2002. |
| However, Indonesia has yet to ratify the agreement. | However, Indonesia has yet to ratify the agreement. |
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