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Burning smell should ease up in coming two weeks: NEA

FILE PHOTO: Yahoo News Singapore
FILE PHOTO: Yahoo News Singapore

The burning smell reported across various areas in Singapore in the past two months should occur less frequently in the next one or two weeks, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said in a media statement on Thursday (28 March).

The strong odour was first reported on 8 February in several parts of eastern Singapore such as Pasir Ris, Tampines and Bedok. The NEA had pinpointed the source to a fire at a landfill in Bandar Tenggara in south-eastern Johor, which has been burning since 5 February.

The smell occurred intermittently throughout February and March, due to other fires and hot spots in the region.

“During the current dry phase of the Northeast Monsoon, hotspots with smoke plumes have been occasionally detected in southern Johor, which has been experiencing dry and hot weather,” the NEA said in its statement.

“The smoke has been a cause of the intermittent burning smell in many parts of the island over the past several weeks. Inter-monsoon conditions are forecast to set in around early April, and an increase in showers are expected over the surrounding region.

“This will help to reduce the occurrence of burning smell in the next one or two weeks.”

Since 11pm on Wednesday, the Pollution Standards Index (PSI) across Singapore ranged from 52-67, in the Moderate range. Meanwhile, the one-hour PM2.5 readings ranged from 1-53µg/m3, in Band I (Normal).

The NEA advised that, given the current air quality, the public can continue with normal activities. It added that it is closely monitoring the air quality and will provide updates on any significant changes to the air quality situation.


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