epa03754095 Indonesian firefighters and police officers spray water on a burning peatland area in Rokan Hilir, Riau province, Indonesia, 21 June 2013. Indonesia is to artificially induce rain in an attempt to douse forest fires that have choked parts of the country and neighbouring Singapore and Malaysia, an official said. Two helicopters have been dispatched to Riau province on Sumatra island, where forest fires have raged for days, according to authorities. Thick smog from the forest fires has blanketed much of Riau, Singapore and Malaysia, sending pollution indexes soaring to hazardous levels. EPA/AMRIYADI BAHAR
SINGAPORE: The severe smog over Singapore caused by forest fires in Indonesia could hurt the city-state’s economy if it persists for weeks, economists said as the pollution index hit new record levels.
Tourist spots are shutting down, companies are allowing staff to work from home and a VIP airport has suspended operations. Some Singapore restaurants were almost deserted during the normally busy Friday lunch period.
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