Haze eases across southern provinces

A fisherman can see the skyline of Singapore - in the daytime. (Reuters photo)

The haze from wildfires in Indonesia drifting into Thailand has generally improved in the southern provinces due to recent rain and strong winds.

Chatchai Promlert, chief of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department (DDPM), said the level of dust particles measuring less than 10 micrometres, or PM10, had dropped below the safety standard of 120 microgrammes per cubic metre across the South on Sunday.

In Songkhla, the PM10 level dropped to 87 µg/cu metre.

The level in Phuket dropped to 81, while in Phangnga, it fell to 77.

In Yala, the level was down to 61, in Satun to 60, in Pattani to 59 and Narathiwat, 58.

Mr Chatchai said the DDPM is still working closely with local authorities to implement measures to cope with the haze.

Residents have been advised not to burn rubbish and fire trucks have been used to spray water into the air in haze-affected areas to help reduce the dense smog.

Mr Chatchai said he has also instructed provincial health offices to give villagers face masks and to educate them on how to deal with the haze.

In Yala's Betong district, visibility is improving as the haze has thinned out over wide areas including several tourist destinations.

Kallaya Towaearyee, director of the Yala Provincial Natural Resources and Environment Office, said the latest level of smog particles in downtown Yala has dropped to 61 µg/cu m.

She said the air quality is expected to return to normal if it continues to rain, which will help break down the worst of it.

The haze has also eased in nearby Songkhla.

However, three flights were delayed Sunday at Hat Yai airport after visibility fell to 100 metres due to a mixture of haze and fog after the rain.