Singapore cancels races due to haze

SINGAPORE:  Jun 21, 2013

 

Singapore Turf Club (SNTC) has cancelled tonight's race meeting after Singapore main index for air pollution reached an all-time record 401, considered "hazardous", at midday today.

Today's index exceeded previous highs of 321 on Wednesday and 371 yesterday.

Wild fires in Indonesia's Sumatra island have sent massive plumes of smog across the sea to Singapore and Malaysia and as a result Singapore is suffering its worst haze in history.

The fires are often the result of carelessly discarded cigarettes and illegal fires set by plantations and farmers to clear land.

The haze situation in Singapore has also forced several sporting events to be cancelled this weekend.

Sunday's races in Singapore is also at risk of being called off. SNTC said in a statement a decision will be announced at 9am on Sunday.

This is the second time racing has been cancelled because of haze. Perak Turf Club called off their races on Aug 13, 2005 when the index hit 124.