A heavy downpour is probably the only solution that can curb the haze problem afflicting Singapore and other nations around us, suggested the Indonesian government.
Singapore is facing its worst-ever haze crisis brought about by the fumes from forest fires in Sumatra, with the nation's Pollutants Standard Index (PSI) reaching a record-high 400, plunging the nation's air standards into the 'hazardous' range on Friday morning (Jun 21).
This was Singapore's highest PSI reading since the 1997 haze crisis, when the index hit 226.
Speaking to the media, the general secretary of the Indonesian Forestry Ministry, Hadi Daryanto, said that imminent rain would bring an end to a 10-day cyclone, which was responsible for causing the winds to blow to Singapore and Malaysia, reported The Jakarta Post.
He cited a meteorological forecast, which predicted a downpour to occur on Jun 28.
"We have considered creating artificial rain to put out the fires, but that would take two weeks. So we've decided to leave it in the hands of nature. And let's just pray for that.
"If there is no downpour then the haze could last for weeks, or even months, as we try to generate artificial rain," said Mr Hadi.
In the meantime, the ministry -- which is responsible for preventing and fighting forest fires across the archipelago -- has deployed special force of firefighters and used water bombing to combat the blazes.
However, Mr Hadi also said that without the heavy downpour, necessary measures to fight the fires may not be as effective.