El Nino: A Worse 2007

Experts have predicted a worse haze in 2007 due to a returning, and stronger, El Nino. This haze could possibly match that of 1997-1998 or even worse. "If the El Nino extends to the next slash-and-burn season, we can definitely anticipate a haze matching that of 1997," said Assistant Professor Chang Chew Hung of the National Institute of Education.

Professor of meteorology, Xie Shang-Ping of the International Pacific Research Centre (IPRC) was quoted by Bernama The Malaysian National News Agency that, “Instead of rain towards November, Singapore may very well be faced with a prolonged El Nino, causing the haze to linger to possibly February 2008.” (The Malaysian National News Agency, 30 Oct 2006 issue)

The terrible El Nino phenomenon, which was seen in 1997-1998, was what triggered the devastating haze that was estimated to have cost SE Asia USD 9 billon losses. It damaged 9 million hectares of land in Indonesia and affected 70 million people. This led to the signing of the 2002 ASEAN agreement on transboundary haze pollution by the ASEAN countries.