SINGAPORE, July 8 (Xinhua) -- There is a low risk of transboundary haze from Singapore's neighboring countries this year as mild weather may return, according to the annual haze outlook report issued by the Singapore Institute of International Affairs Monday.
The haze comes from smoke released by burning peat and other vegetation. Severe haze mostly occurred during intense drought periods corresponding to the El Nino or positive Indian Ocean Dipole phenomena, the report said.
El Nino is tailing off and transitioning to La Nina this year. The weather is potentially wetter for the key fire risk months of August, September, and October if La Nina occurs, according to the report.
Effective fire prevention and suppression efforts help keep the haze under control, the think tank said, noting that current efforts should be up to manage fires in a relatively milder dry season expected this year.
Meanwhile, the policies of Indonesia's new administration, particularly in the plantation and forestry sectors, are also crucial to haze management this year, the report said. ■