Singapore Haze Update: PSI is 355 at 2pm.

When Malaysia gets hit by haze, Singapore, our neighbour down south could also be facing the same fate. In fact, Singaporeans are getting it worse this time around with PSI reading hitting a high of 371 at 1pm today.

The Straits Times reported that:

The Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) has dipped slightly to 355 at 2pm on Thursday from a new high of 371 at 1pm.

Hospitals are closing windows in subsidised B2 and C class wards to protect patients from haze. Meanwhile, Indonesia will begin cloud-seeding "based on needs on the ground".

Photo sent at 10.38am on June 20, 2013, shows the view from Lavender. -- PHOTO: DELTHA MAE AU VIA FACEBOOK - Straits Times

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Indonesian minister says Singapore "behaving like a small child" over haze
JAKARTA - A senior Indonesian minister has hit out at Singapore on the haze, saying: "Singapore shouldn't be like children, in such a tizzy."

Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Agung Laksono, who is coordinating his country's relief and response efforts, told a press conference on Thursday: "Indonesian citizens also need to be looked after, there are hundreds."

"It's not what Indonesians want, it's nature," he added.

Mr Agung said cloud seeding to induce rain would be carried out as soon as feasible. The salt is ready, the planes are in place, but there must be clouds, he added.

"The burning is not always above ground," he said. "Much of it is below the surface."

"Let's focus on putting the fires out, and ensuring those responsible are held accountable," he added.

Haze update: Not act of nature but man-made, says NEA chief
"We registered that given the weather conditions, the burning actions are man-made and therefore can and should be averted. We pressed them to take our concerns seriously."

"(We) are now at a stage where air quality is at hazardous levels. So we can't take this lightly."

Singapore also proposed to bring forward a sub-regional ministerial meeting on transboundary haze set for August, he said.

An aerial view of haze shrouding Riau yesterday. Indonesia is investigating which companies are responsible for the fires. -- PHOTO: REUTERS