Bandar Seri Begawan - The first day of the month of Ramadhan yesterday saw moderate haze conditions throughout the country.

Strong winds from open burning and bush fires in neighbouring countries brought back the haze, which had faded away a number of weeks ago.

Strong upper level southwesterly wind transported back the haze from the source location, according to the website of the Brunei Meteorological Service.

Moderate haze is expected to persist in the next 24 hours, according to the BMS website.

Moderate haze conditions may persist as rains are not expected around the source of bush fires, and also in the country, BMS said. A shower early yesterday evening temporarily cleared much of the haze in the capital.

Earlier, a light shower in the early afternoon didn't help to alleviate the hazy condition. The lowest visibility in the country yesterday was six kilometres, which was recorded at the Brunei International Airport.

Meanwhile the local Pollutant Standard Index (PSI) reading was 53 or moderate, in the last 24 hours up to 5pm yesterday. This was recorded from the air quality monitoring stations (PM10) in Brunei's four districts.

There were 15 hotspots on Borneo as of late afternoon on Sept 19 detected by NOAA12, according to a report compiled by the Asean Secretariat based on feedback from the Asean action Hazeonline website.

The condition, made worse by the drought-like conditions within the region, is expected to continue until early October 2006.

The public is advised to immediately report any occurrence or incidence of bush fires to the Department of Fire and Rescue on Hotline 995.