Singapore must prepare for risk of increased haze in 2023 and 2024

We must be ready to protect the most vulnerable – the young, the old and those working outdoors.

The very young and elderly are susceptible to respiratory illness when exposed to high levels of particulate matter. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
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The recent return of El Nino is again prompting discussions about how we should prepare for haze in Singapore.

A repeat of the 2015 South-east Asian transboundary haze is possible this year and probably in 2024. Much of Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand suffered a protracted period of poor visibility and air quality then, after peat and vegetation fires raging in Indonesia were intensified by a bout of hot and dry weather brought about by El Nino.

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