"Sumatra" squall causes unstable weather conditions in Singapore
The National Environment Agency (NEA) says strong winds and rain early Saturday were caused by a "Sumatra" squall.
A "Sumatra" squall is an organised line of thunderstorms that develops over Sumatra or the Straits of Malacca that moves eastward towards Singapore.
As such, unstable weather conditions were experienced in Singapore.
The highest rainfall recorded on Saturday morning was 30mm at Kent Ridge and the highest wind speed was 60.5kph recorded at Pasir Panjang at 5.40am.
The station nearest to Toa Payoh is Nanyang Polytechnic and the highest wind speed recorded there was 11kph at about 8am.
On Friday, strong winds and rain caused streets in the Serangoon North and Yio Chu Kang areas to be littered with fallen branches.
According to NParks, fallen branches caused damage to cars, a bus, roofs and fences of two properties.
The roof of a house in Jalan Limbok along Yio Chu Kang Road was damaged when a huge branch fell on it, causing rainwater to seep in.
When the news team visited the house on Saturday, rainwater was still seeping in.
The family is getting help from their insurance company and is also trying to seek compensation from NParks.
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
Sunday 31 October 2010
Sunday 24 October 2010
Beach clubs affected by the haze
Beach clubs affected by the haze
The PSI hovered in the moderate range on Saturday, hitting 78 at 12 noon, and the outlook for businesses along the beach has been similarly cloudy with the haze.
Observers say many regular beachgoers have stayed away from the beach, leaving the usually packed beach clubs empty.
Clubs like Bora Bora and Cafe Del Mar say business over the last three days has been bad, with the haze driving away more than half of their customers.
"Usually, business on weekdays, we can get at least [1,000 to 1,200 customers]. But these weekdays, we have only 300 to 400 like that," says Siti Asiah, a waitress at the Bora Bora Beach Bar.
Adrian Lee, Operations Manager at Cafe Del Mar, says that he has seen a drop in customers as well.
"We have a drop of maybe 10 to 20 per cent of people coming into Cafe Del Mar itself. Even like Saturday, like you can see right now, we are not having as much as what you have last Saturday."
However, Sentosa Leisure Group says the haze does not seem to have deterred guests from visiting Sentosa and adds that guest arrivals continued to be brisk this past week.
It is anticipating a good turnout at its annual Halloween event, Sentosa Spooktacular, which kicks off this weekend.
On Saturday afternoon, the haze did not stop beachgoers at Sentosa from enjoying their weekend by the sea.
"It's not that bad today. So it's all right you know coming here for a toss, for a drink with friends. Nevertheless, we still take note, if the haze gets worse, we'll definitely consider. But right now, it's perfect, the weather, the wind, the breeze," says beachgoer Joe Leong.
Another beachgoer, Grace Quek, agrees.
"Today haze [is not that bad]. Like [a] normal day...so I just come out here and suntan. [There is also no obvious] smell at all, like [a] normal day."
At East Coast Park, bicycle kiosk operator Mr Lee has suffered a 40 per cent drop in customers.
"There are more teenagers, but less children. There are less families coming here also."
As for the weather outlook, NEA says hazy conditions are still expected with winds forecast to remain southwesterly to westerly for the next two days.
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
The PSI hovered in the moderate range on Saturday, hitting 78 at 12 noon, and the outlook for businesses along the beach has been similarly cloudy with the haze.
Observers say many regular beachgoers have stayed away from the beach, leaving the usually packed beach clubs empty.
Clubs like Bora Bora and Cafe Del Mar say business over the last three days has been bad, with the haze driving away more than half of their customers.
"Usually, business on weekdays, we can get at least [1,000 to 1,200 customers]. But these weekdays, we have only 300 to 400 like that," says Siti Asiah, a waitress at the Bora Bora Beach Bar.
Adrian Lee, Operations Manager at Cafe Del Mar, says that he has seen a drop in customers as well.
"We have a drop of maybe 10 to 20 per cent of people coming into Cafe Del Mar itself. Even like Saturday, like you can see right now, we are not having as much as what you have last Saturday."
However, Sentosa Leisure Group says the haze does not seem to have deterred guests from visiting Sentosa and adds that guest arrivals continued to be brisk this past week.
It is anticipating a good turnout at its annual Halloween event, Sentosa Spooktacular, which kicks off this weekend.
On Saturday afternoon, the haze did not stop beachgoers at Sentosa from enjoying their weekend by the sea.
"It's not that bad today. So it's all right you know coming here for a toss, for a drink with friends. Nevertheless, we still take note, if the haze gets worse, we'll definitely consider. But right now, it's perfect, the weather, the wind, the breeze," says beachgoer Joe Leong.
Another beachgoer, Grace Quek, agrees.
"Today haze [is not that bad]. Like [a] normal day...so I just come out here and suntan. [There is also no obvious] smell at all, like [a] normal day."
At East Coast Park, bicycle kiosk operator Mr Lee has suffered a 40 per cent drop in customers.
"There are more teenagers, but less children. There are less families coming here also."
As for the weather outlook, NEA says hazy conditions are still expected with winds forecast to remain southwesterly to westerly for the next two days.
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
Singaporeans gear up for Deepavali celebrations
Singaporeans gear up for Deepavali celebrations
Deepavali arrives in about two weeks time and residents in Marine Parade, MacPherson and Potong Pasir are already gearing up for the festival.
In a prelude to Deepavali, grassroot leaders put together a community dance drama to help nearly 1,000 residents understand and appreciate the story of Ramayana and how it's related to Deepavali.
It was interwoven with multi-cultural dances and presented in English with Chinese subtitles to attract a greater community participation.
Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and the MPs from Marine Parade GRC, and MacPherson and Potong Pasir, namely Mr Matthias Yao, Ong Seh Hong, Associate Professor Fatimah Lateef, Mr Lim Biow Chuan, Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Mr Seah Kian Peng and Mr Sitoh Yih Pin, were in the audience.
The event ended with a ritual burning of an effigy of Ravana, a demon king in Hindu mythology and a pyrotechnics display.
The organisers hope that such events can generate a greater appreciation for Indian culture and tradition.
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
Deepavali arrives in about two weeks time and residents in Marine Parade, MacPherson and Potong Pasir are already gearing up for the festival.
In a prelude to Deepavali, grassroot leaders put together a community dance drama to help nearly 1,000 residents understand and appreciate the story of Ramayana and how it's related to Deepavali.
It was interwoven with multi-cultural dances and presented in English with Chinese subtitles to attract a greater community participation.
Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and the MPs from Marine Parade GRC, and MacPherson and Potong Pasir, namely Mr Matthias Yao, Ong Seh Hong, Associate Professor Fatimah Lateef, Mr Lim Biow Chuan, Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Mr Seah Kian Peng and Mr Sitoh Yih Pin, were in the audience.
The event ended with a ritual burning of an effigy of Ravana, a demon king in Hindu mythology and a pyrotechnics display.
The organisers hope that such events can generate a greater appreciation for Indian culture and tradition.
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
Friday 22 October 2010
Changi Airport flights unaffected by haze
Changi Airport flights unaffected by haze
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has said flights at Changi Airport are not affected by the haze which reached unhealthy levels on Thursday.
The three-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reading rose to 108 at 6pm. A PSI reading between 101-200 is considered unhealthy.
Responding to media queries, CAAS pointed out that Changi Airport is equipped with facilities and procedures to allow safe landing of aircraft in low visibility conditions.
This is in accordance with international standards.
The airport is equipped with an Instrument Landing System (ILS) which provides guidance to pilots for their landing on the runway.
CAAS said the pilot's decision to land is based on the Runway Visual Range, which is the range over which the pilot can see along the runway.
This can be reduced if the haze is severe.
CAAS said that flights can still land at Changi Airport safely even when the Runway Visual Range is below 500 metres.
The visibility reading at Changi Airport on Thursday is between 1,500 and 1,800 metres.
From past experience, the visibility at Changi Airport due to haze has not gone below 550 metres.
During the prolonged haze period in 1997, the lowest visibility reading at Changi Airport was about 800 metres.
Asked about the haze situation, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said: "It is a matter of very serious concern as a health hazard that has not just affected Singapore but also the southern part of West Malaysia."
He said Singapore's Ambassador in Jakarta has been instructed to inform the Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry that Foreign Minister George Yeo would like to speak to his Indonesian counterpart Marty Natalegawa on Friday.
Singapore's Environment and Water Resources Minister, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, has also contacted his Indonesian counterpart to register the Republic's concerns.
Separately, Channel NewsAsia has learnt that Indonesia is the only ASEAN member that has not ratified the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution.
The news network also understands that the Indonesian State Minister for the Environment, Prof Dr Gusti Muhammad Hatta, did not attend the 6th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution in Brunei on October 13.
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has said flights at Changi Airport are not affected by the haze which reached unhealthy levels on Thursday.
The three-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reading rose to 108 at 6pm. A PSI reading between 101-200 is considered unhealthy.
Responding to media queries, CAAS pointed out that Changi Airport is equipped with facilities and procedures to allow safe landing of aircraft in low visibility conditions.
This is in accordance with international standards.
The airport is equipped with an Instrument Landing System (ILS) which provides guidance to pilots for their landing on the runway.
CAAS said the pilot's decision to land is based on the Runway Visual Range, which is the range over which the pilot can see along the runway.
This can be reduced if the haze is severe.
CAAS said that flights can still land at Changi Airport safely even when the Runway Visual Range is below 500 metres.
The visibility reading at Changi Airport on Thursday is between 1,500 and 1,800 metres.
From past experience, the visibility at Changi Airport due to haze has not gone below 550 metres.
During the prolonged haze period in 1997, the lowest visibility reading at Changi Airport was about 800 metres.
Asked about the haze situation, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said: "It is a matter of very serious concern as a health hazard that has not just affected Singapore but also the southern part of West Malaysia."
He said Singapore's Ambassador in Jakarta has been instructed to inform the Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry that Foreign Minister George Yeo would like to speak to his Indonesian counterpart Marty Natalegawa on Friday.
Singapore's Environment and Water Resources Minister, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, has also contacted his Indonesian counterpart to register the Republic's concerns.
Separately, Channel NewsAsia has learnt that Indonesia is the only ASEAN member that has not ratified the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution.
The news network also understands that the Indonesian State Minister for the Environment, Prof Dr Gusti Muhammad Hatta, did not attend the 6th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution in Brunei on October 13.
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
Thursday 21 October 2010
Big, bad haze for 3 more days
Big, bad haze for 3 more days
THE haze is here to stay at least for the next three days said the National Environment Agency (NEA) at a media briefing held yesterday to shed more light on the haze situation here.
However, Singaporeans need not be unduly alarmed as the haze, caused by fires in the Sumatran region of Indonesia, is unlikely to reach hazardous levels here.
Yesterday, the Pollutants Standards Index (PSI) level hit a high of 80, which is in the moderate region. The PSI levels will depend on the intensity of the fires, the wind direction and whether there is rain.
Mr Joseph Hui, Director-General of the Environmental Protection Division of the NEA, said: "If the wind blows in the West-North-West direction and the fires remain constant, it is likely that the PSI levels will increase."
He added that the western part of Singapore will be the most affected.
In response to my paper queries, a Ministry of Health spokesman said that cases of asthma, bronchitis and allergic conjunctivitis can be expected to increase due to the presence of irritants in the air. The spokesman said: "People are advised to avoid vigorous outdoor activities if the PSI is beyond 100 as the air is unhealthy."
News courtesy of Omy
THE haze is here to stay at least for the next three days said the National Environment Agency (NEA) at a media briefing held yesterday to shed more light on the haze situation here.
However, Singaporeans need not be unduly alarmed as the haze, caused by fires in the Sumatran region of Indonesia, is unlikely to reach hazardous levels here.
Yesterday, the Pollutants Standards Index (PSI) level hit a high of 80, which is in the moderate region. The PSI levels will depend on the intensity of the fires, the wind direction and whether there is rain.
Mr Joseph Hui, Director-General of the Environmental Protection Division of the NEA, said: "If the wind blows in the West-North-West direction and the fires remain constant, it is likely that the PSI levels will increase."
He added that the western part of Singapore will be the most affected.
In response to my paper queries, a Ministry of Health spokesman said that cases of asthma, bronchitis and allergic conjunctivitis can be expected to increase due to the presence of irritants in the air. The spokesman said: "People are advised to avoid vigorous outdoor activities if the PSI is beyond 100 as the air is unhealthy."
News courtesy of Omy
Sunday 17 October 2010
"i Light Marina Bay" festival
"i Light Marina Bay" festival supported by over 10 buildings
More than 10 buildings, including One Fullerton and Marina Bay Sands, will support the "i Light Marina Bay" festival which starts this Friday and will last till 7th November.
Properties involved will light up using less energy to raise awareness on sustainable urban development.
One Fullerton, for example, will switch off selected building facade lights, while Marina Bay Sands will raise air-conditioning thermostats in the property's basements.
The main draw of the festival will be the light installations placed around the Marina Bay reservoir being done by local and international artists.
Many of these installations are made from recycled materials and use little energy to dazzle the cityscape.
Mary-Anne Kyriakou, the festival's director, is hoping that audiences will be able to enjoy the dazzling displays.
"What we're hoping that the audience takes away with them and the public, is the feeling of inspiration, excitement, fun, and an event whereby the built environment is not just about spending money, it's about bringing your own picnic and just enjoying the built environment and urban space in its most natural form," she said.
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
More than 10 buildings, including One Fullerton and Marina Bay Sands, will support the "i Light Marina Bay" festival which starts this Friday and will last till 7th November.
Properties involved will light up using less energy to raise awareness on sustainable urban development.
One Fullerton, for example, will switch off selected building facade lights, while Marina Bay Sands will raise air-conditioning thermostats in the property's basements.
The main draw of the festival will be the light installations placed around the Marina Bay reservoir being done by local and international artists.
Many of these installations are made from recycled materials and use little energy to dazzle the cityscape.
Mary-Anne Kyriakou, the festival's director, is hoping that audiences will be able to enjoy the dazzling displays.
"What we're hoping that the audience takes away with them and the public, is the feeling of inspiration, excitement, fun, and an event whereby the built environment is not just about spending money, it's about bringing your own picnic and just enjoying the built environment and urban space in its most natural form," she said.
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
Haze in Singapore due to Sumatra fires
Haze in Singapore due to Sumatra fires
The skies over Singapore were slightly hazy on Saturday.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) attributed this to the smoke haze from the fires in Sumatra brought in by the prevailing southwesterly winds.
"The latest satellite pass today detected 80 hotspots mainly in the Riau Province in Sumatra," added the NEA in a statement.
The air quality in Singapore, as measured by the PSI readings, was in the moderate range - which is one level below the good range.
At 4pm, the 24-hour PSI reading was 54.
"The winds are expected to remain southwesterly tomorrow and showers with thunder are expected in the morning. The showers should help to mitigate the smoke haze but there is still a possibility that some slight haziness may remain tomorrow," said the NEA.
It pointed out that at the recent meeting on haze pollution held in Brunei, Singapore has cautioned that periods of dry conditions may occur during the inter-monsoon season and urged ASEAN member states to remain vigilant and to continuously monitor as well as implement haze prevention activities.
NEA is monitoring the smoke haze situation closely and will provide updates should the air quality deteriorate. Members of the public may also call NEA Call Centre at 1800-CALL NEA (1800-2255 632) or access www.nea.gov.sg for any feedback or update on the situation.
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
The skies over Singapore were slightly hazy on Saturday.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) attributed this to the smoke haze from the fires in Sumatra brought in by the prevailing southwesterly winds.
"The latest satellite pass today detected 80 hotspots mainly in the Riau Province in Sumatra," added the NEA in a statement.
The air quality in Singapore, as measured by the PSI readings, was in the moderate range - which is one level below the good range.
At 4pm, the 24-hour PSI reading was 54.
"The winds are expected to remain southwesterly tomorrow and showers with thunder are expected in the morning. The showers should help to mitigate the smoke haze but there is still a possibility that some slight haziness may remain tomorrow," said the NEA.
It pointed out that at the recent meeting on haze pollution held in Brunei, Singapore has cautioned that periods of dry conditions may occur during the inter-monsoon season and urged ASEAN member states to remain vigilant and to continuously monitor as well as implement haze prevention activities.
NEA is monitoring the smoke haze situation closely and will provide updates should the air quality deteriorate. Members of the public may also call NEA Call Centre at 1800-CALL NEA (1800-2255 632) or access www.nea.gov.sg for any feedback or update on the situation.
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
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