Haze from Indonesia now affecting GenSan

Thick haze coming from forest fires in Indonesia is now affecting General Santos City in the southernmost part of Mindanao.

A report on "Unang Balita" on Thursday said the city is being shrouded by thick haze, resulting in cancellations of flights to and from the General Santos City International Airport in past days.

Last week, the report said, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines had to either cancel or divert all flights to and from the airport.

CAAP was also quoted as saying the airport's runway lights need to be switched on even during day time and pilots of approaching planes also needed to have their air crafts' lights on due to the dark haze that covered the whole city.

On the other hand, state weather bureau PAGASA said the haze in General Santos City would clear away if winds from the Northeast Monsoon (Amihan) become stronger.

Indonesia’s haze has spread out and is affecting other countries, according to a report on GMA’s "News TV Live."
 
Meanwhile, the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), which has its headquarters in Indonesia, said the haze has reached the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. Around 30 million people are affected, and it may last until next year.
 
Haze also covered Metro Cebu earlier this month and was thought to be caused by fires in Indonesia’s forests. But an official of the local Environmental Management Bureau later on said the haze was just caused by pollution.
 
Indonesia's haze is an annual occurrence as farmers in the country cut and burn forests to make way for agricultural crops. — LBG, GMA News