Hi folks,
Thought you may find this article interesting. It is from today's (28 Sep
97) issue of the Singapore Sunday Times.
If you are interested in following the haze situation in Singapore and
S.E.Asia, you can read from:
http://www.asia1.com.sg/straitstimes
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Birds drop dead from sky on Philippine island
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By Luz Baguioro in Manila
MIGRATORY birds stopping at the western Philippine island of Palawan were
dropping dead from the skies as smog from uncontrolled forest fires in
Indonesia reached the area, officials and environmental groups said
yesterday.
Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn, citing a report from the
environmental group, Haribon, said that the haze had killed migratory birds
taking sanctuary at Ursula Island.
An environmental team which was sent to check the reports earlier in the
week had to turn back because of near-zero visibility in the area, he
added.
Military officials said they had sent a helicopter to Ursula Island, a bird
sanctuary at the southern tip of Palawan, to check on the reports.
Farmers in the area had also reported increased insect attacks on their
crops, local officials said.
Environmentalists said that the smog could have induced the insects to come
out of their forest habitat.
Children have also complained of stinging eyes because of the haze.
An AFP report said that visibility on the southern side of Palawan, where
the haze was strongest, was down to about 300 m, and officials had warned
drivers to be cautious.
However, in Puerto Princesa, conditions have eased with visibility rising
to 5 km yesterday, up from 3 km earlier this week. Visibility in southern
Zamboanga City was 5 km.
Although the haze has been observed in different parts of the Philippines,
only a few areas have been affected.
Environment Secretary Victor Ramos has warned that the smog could induce
acid rain in affected areas.
But weather experts said this was unlikely because the Philippines was far
from the source of forest fires. Philippine officials have expressed the
hope that easterly winds that come in early October would, together with an
impending storm, push the toxic haze to the South China Sea.
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Victor
Victor Yue Seong Swee
34 Upper Cross St #15-168
Singapore 050034
SINGAPORE
Email:
http://www.singnet.com.sg/~yuess
Phone: +65 533-3177
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