:Haze hits Singapore as hot spots in Sumatra increases

Singapore’s air quality fell into the unhealthy range on Saturday, official readings showed, as increased forest fires from neighbouring Indonesia brought haze to the city-state.
At 2 p.m. (0600 GMT), the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index readings in the eastern and central part of Singapore was above 100, levels at which people are advised to reduce prolonged strenuous outdoor activities.
Transborder haze is a perennial problem in Southeast Asia as regulatory loopholes make it hard for authorities to eliminate Indonesia’s slash-and-burn land clearing practices.
Singapore’s National Environment Agency said 212 hot spots were detected on Indonesia’s nearby Sumatra island on Friday, up from 65 on Thursday and 15 the day before.
A brief shift in the wind direction on Friday afternoon blew some of the lighter haze toward Singapore, worsening the island nation’s in air quality, it said.