Dry spell puts Singapore on haze watch as Sumatra, Kalimantan fires persist

Singapore has been placed on haze watch as fires in Indonesia's Sumatra and Kalimantan provinces continue unabated, the National Environment Agency (NEA) has warned. In an advisory posted on Monday, the NEA stated that hotspots with smoke plumes have been observed across southern and central Sumatra, as well as various parts of Kalimantan, amid persistent dry weather.

The agency noted that hot and dry conditions are expected to continue over the next few days, with prevailing southeast or southwesterly winds potentially causing Singapore to experience hazy conditions if the fires intensify. The NEA assured that it would remain vigilant and issue daily haze advisories if the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reaches unhealthy levels.

The Southwest Monsoon is currently prevailing over Singapore and the surrounding region, with winds expected to blow from the southeast or southwest. While short-duration thundery showers are anticipated over parts of the island during late morning and afternoon on certain days, the NEA predicts that rainfall during the second fortnight of August 2026 will be below average across most parts of the island.