SINGAPORE: One subject many Singaporeans are speaking about as of late is the haze state of affairs, which is at its worst in over a decade. On account of forest and peat fires in Indonesia, mixed with this yr’s Tremendous El Niño phenomenon, the haze has brought about Singapore to be among the many most polluted cities across the globe.
On Thursday (Oct 15), the 24-hour Pollutant Requirements Index (PSI) breached 200 within the west, with a really unhealthy studying (203). Within the different 4 areas, readings have been within the unhealthy band between 127 and 192.
In the meantime, on social media, some Singaporeans seem like eager for days passed by when there have been clear skies, posting pictures of the identical space from earlier than and after this yr’s haze downside set in.
Reddit consumer xianzx posted a side-by-side picture of Raffles Place on Oct 14, taken precisely one yr aside. On the left, the colors are nonetheless fairly distinct, with the inexperienced of the timber and the orange of the roofs standing out. On the best, it seems to be as if a really cloudy filter had been utilized, as buildings and greenery are enveloped in smoke.
“Thanks for this comparability; it has been too lengthy that I’ve forgotten what ‘clear visibility’ is,” a commenter wrote.
One other publish from u/remyworldpeace confirmed a distinction that was much more stark.
The publish creator put up a side-by-side picture of the view from the highest of a Dawson HDB on Oct 14 beside one other taken in June.
They defined that on the left facet is Gunung Pulai in Johor, which is 45 km away.
“On a really clear day you’ll be able to see mountains in Malaysia and Indonesia even additional away! I’ve by no means seen it so unhealthy earlier than; in no path are you able to see any common landmarks,” they added.
Numerous commenters on the publish wrote that they thought the picture had not loaded appropriately, as all they might see was white on the best facet.
U/xdavestrix posted two pictures taken from St John Island. The primary was on a transparent day from the previous, and Singapore’s skyline seems clearly. Within the subsequent image, whereas the ocean can nonetheless be seen within the foreground, nothing else is distinct.
“Singapore’s skyline completely disappeared from view; cannot even see something from right here, it is like I simply entered Silent Hill,” the publish creator wrote.
“The results of reckless capitalism, made seen for all to see,” a commenter wrote. /TISG
Learn additionally: Singapore-linked corporations amongst corporations tied to Indonesian plantations hit by haze-causing fires, says Greenpeace
