Haze is back 2019

Today, the sky is dark, the air is filled with burning smell and visibility is low. After 3 years of haze-free air, haze is back on 14th September 2019 to haunt us again. Yes, the annoying haze! Our lungs are filled with toxin and many of us are sick again.

IThe haze has reached an unhealthy level, meaning the PSI has exceeded the 100 level according to the guide by NEA below.

Source: The National Environment Agency

Why after 3 years the haze is back? What did they do to stop the haze in the last 3 years and why it is not working now?

It is again the forest fire from Sumatra and Kalimantan! According to CNA, the fires were started by illegal burning to clear land and 200 people were already arrested for committing such act. I wonder why these people were not chocked by the smoke when they started the fire?

In 2015, the president from Indonesia said he needed time to tackle this issue but unfortunately after 3 years, it is still happening again. It's time that the president should ask for different opinions and seek help from other countries to tackle this issues. But first, Mr President, you should look for solution to stop the slash and burn method! This is the main reason the fire has gone wild and fast.

PSI Reached 354 at 6pm on 28th September 2015

Like the last few days, the air still smelled foul and haze was thick. At noon, it got worse at PSI 250 and when it reached around 6 pm, the PSI already shot up to 345. Felt the world almost come to an end. The sky looked so gloomy, air was stale and dust everywhere. I felt suffocated but yet there was no where else to go! Looking outside the window, the blocks opposite my block had already disappeared in the haze.

Just as I thought we were going to die soon due to suffocation, suddenly heard a loud thunder! Sound like it was going to rain. And yes! it rained! Joy! A welcome rain and long overdue rain. Many thanks to whom who sent the rain. Be it the Rain God or Dragon King, whoever you are! Thank you very much!!!! 

It was quite a heavy downpour but still not enough to clear the haze. In fact, when the rain water touched the ground, it gave out an unpleasant smell. A burning smell! Too strong and overwhelming that none of my family members could take it. After rain, we felt even more humid and suffocating but at least we still could catch some fresh air.

Putting my fingers cross, hopefully there will be more rain not only in Singapore but in Sumatra as well!

Haze caused Closure of Singapore Schools

Yesterday was Hari Rajar Haji but yet the haze seemed to affect the mood of everybody. At late noon, the haze had gone from bad to worst and broke the PSI 300 mark. It had reached to very unhealthy range! Since it was holiday yesterday there was not much news from the government on what action they would take. Furthermore, our Prime Minister was busy forming its new cabinet so didn't expect too much from them either.

At night, finally saw some announcement on TV. The MOE announced all primary and secondary schools would be closed on Friday, 25th September 2015. All students didn't need to attend school the next day unless the parents had difficulties arranging them to stay at home. This could be first time in Singapore history that Singapore schools were closed due to the haze. I remembered the last time the schools were closed was due to SARS in 2003.

The members of the public were also advised to go to their nearest RC (resident committee) or CC (community centers) as these places provided air con and acted as a 'temporary hideout" for people who needed a respite from haze. It also stated that the pioneer generation and people holding CHAS card were eligible to collect N95 mask from CC. But I wondered who would want to go out during such time just to collect a mask. Wasn't it safer to stay indoor?

Singaporean should be educated to purchase some masks at home to prepare for such event. Knowing the haze is now an annual event, we just cannot go without masks, especially N95 mask!

Clear Blue Sky Finally!

From the early afternoon, the haze seem to gradually disappeared and about 2 pm, the long-awaited blue sky has finally appeared! Clear blue sky with the big bright sun hanging right on top of the sky! Now I could see the block opposite me, before that it was so hazy that the block almost disappeared. I really missed the clear blue sky, it is there all the time but never realized it could be so beautiful! The lesson learnt, never take things for granted!

Everyone of us heaved a big sigh of relief as our lungs could finally breath in some fresh air. No more blurry eyes, headaches and tight chest. I feel that my lungs are screaming with joy inside my body.

All of us were curious why there was a sudden change, could there be a heavy downpour in Sumatra? Or the Indonesian authorities has managed to put out the fire? Regardless what, we just hope that there will be no more haze, we have enough trauma for these few days already.

Fingers crossed.

Singaporean Need to be More Environmentally Conscious

This morning's PSI read at 326 at 10 am but I feel it is even more smoky than yesterday's 401 record. The reason is many Chinese uncles and aunties are burning incense papers as today is the fifteen of Chinese calendar.

My mum came back from the market and said one uncle was burning lots of lots of incense papers merrily at our block's void deck. She was dismayed that these people still doing more harm to the environment when we are facing the most severe air pollution crisis we ever have in Singapore history. I agree, but old habits die hard, just like our Indonesian neighbor, they turn a deaf ear to our pleading even though we have requested many years not to slash and burn their forest using such cheap method. Look at photos below and you will know how bad is the air pollution.

Photo by EPA, taken from Yahoo!News

Photo by EPA, taken from Yahoo!News

Ever since the haze started on last Friday (14 June, 2013), my next door neighbor has not stopped burning the joss stick everyday. When I told him about the PSI reading, he simply shrugged off and said his "shen" (deity) is more important than anything and offering incense stick is to show his sincerity. But I believe the deity will understand the air pollution is not a joke, it can kill! So what's the point of praying when you lost your life? Many people seem to get the priority wrong including our Indonesian neighbor, they put their economy before their environment, they will have to pay for it one day!

One more month is the "Hungry Ghost Festival", I hope the government can educate these people how to love their environment more by burning less incense paper. It's still not effective by just playing occasional "Save my world" on TV, more should be done to educate these of group of people especially deep belief inherited long ago. The uncles and aunties need to be taught why burning incense paper is no difference from Indonesian burning their Sumatra forest. They are harming their loved ones when they pollute the air! All of us have responsibility to leave a clean environment for our next generation.

PSI is up to 400 at 11 am Today!

I know today will be worst. This morning when I woke up, it was even more hazy than yesterday. My lip are dry, cracked and skin itches all over. The PSI published by NEA just came out and it was 400 at 11 am today (20 June, 2013). Another record breaking for this week! I hope this should be it, it should not go any higher than this.

My niece is looking very sad as her school holiday is going to end soon but the haze is nowhere to end soon. To cheer her up, I found a video created by one of our local talented citizen. She likes it very much, not only it is funny but it helps her to forget about the haze for a moment.

Hopefully, it will bring some smiles to your hazy day too.



By the way, the name of the above video creator is Alvin Oon. Looking at his video, I can't help but remember another video on YouTube about a passenger's guitar was damaged by United Airlines' staff. He asked for a compensation but United Airlines put him through many different departments which turned a deaf ear to him. Out of frustration, he made a video called Guitar United Airlines which eventually forced those at the top management in United Airlines to look at his case seriously. Finally, he got his compensation!

 

So I'm wondering could Alvin make a similar video and get the message across to Indonesian authorities? We can leverage on the media as we have run out of ideas how to communicate our desperate request for action to our neighbour.

What Haze? See, Hear & Speak Nothing!

Haze not only affect the human but animals too! My upstair & downstair neighbors' dogs used to bark like crazy all day but I haven't heard from them since the haze is here. They must have sensed that something is wrong and even the fat stray cat at my block's void deck is sleeping all day. It used to greet everyone whenever anyone walks pass her.

The #sghaze has reached a critical level at 371 but somebody still untouched by what they've seen & heard! And guess what? They said "we are behaving like a child" when we are merely voicing our dissatisfaction. I cannot believe this!!