Numerous sporting events were cancelled last weekend due to the higher than normal PSI levels, which has resulted in speculation about the prospects of the race taking place.
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Lewis Hamilton is on the brink of equalling his idol Ayrton Senna’s Formula 1 Grand Prix win record at Singapore this weekend as he hunts a hat-trick of victories to further extend his championship lead. The annual extravaganza, which has been held in Singapore since 2008, draws hordes of tourists and racing enthusiasts from the region.
Indonesia Monday declared a state of emergency in a province choked with thick haze from forest fires, as fears mounted that worsening air quality could affect the upcoming Grand Prix in neighbouring Singapore.
FIA race director Charlie Whiting will meet with drivers and teams in Singapore before they come to a decision on the race.
After touching a high of 222, the pollution index mellowed during the day to 118, classified as “unhealthy”.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo referred to as late on Monday for robust motion towards anybody caught lighting fires to clear forested land, as a worsening haze blanketed the north of the nation and neighboring Singapore and Malaysia.
Arsyadjuliandi said he would ask all community health centers in Riau to open for 24 hours, with at least one doctor available in each.
But National Disaster Management Agency head Willem Rampangilei told Fairfax Media that while people often suggested evacuating residents, it was not easy and actually created more problems: “The best medicine for haze is raining”.
The blazes intensified in the past fortnight, sending smog over Sumatra and Borneo that has left tens of thousands ill, forced people to wear face masks and prompted the cancellation of flights and school closures.
Najib had been due to travel by helicopter from Kuching, capital of the Malaysian state of Sarawak, to the town of Sematan 100 kilometres (62 miles) away, state-run Bernama news agency said. Cloud seeding for haze relief may start Tuesday, the Malay Mail reported, citing the Meteorological Department. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) addressed the issue with members signing up to an agreement on cross-border pollution in 2002. Nasrudin Hassan Tantawi, from the opposition Islamic party, said weak leadership in Malaysia should be blamed for failing to implement the 2002 pact and finding a permanent solution.
Dr Siti Nurbaya also agreed to Balakrishnan’s request for Indonesia to share the names of companies which are suspected to be causing the fires, once they were able to confirm the information, NEA said.
The Air Pollutant Index (API) for these areas from 6am – 11am on Tuesday has been in the unhealthy range.
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The three-hour PSI, an indicative reading not tied to health advisory, was 73 – also in the moderate zone – at noon.
