Singapore air ‘unhealthy’ as haze spreads from Indonesian fires

Singapore's air quality reached an unhealthy level on Friday as a haze from Indonesian forest fires continued to spread across Southeast Asia. The city-state was ranked as the eighth most polluted major city in the world by IQAir, with Kuching in Malaysian Borneo taking the top spot. The national environment agency warned residents to limit prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity due to the prolonged dry conditions and risk of severe transboundary haze.

This yearly occurrence, often linked to traditional and commercial land-clearing practices, is exacerbated by this year's 'super El Nino' weather pattern, expected to peak in September and October. The number of fire hotspots in Borneo, after a brief decline, is increasing again, posing challenges for authorities in containing the blazes.

Indonesian authorities have deployed over 6,000 ground personnel and are utilizing aerial water-bombing and weather modification to combat the fires. The El Nino's impact is affecting Singapore's largest economy, with Indonesia's largest nickel complex potentially reducing output by 40% due to drought, and palm oil shipments facing disruptions from drier waterways.

The Indonesian Palm Oil Association reported that nearly 40% of Kalimantan's monthly palm oil output had to be transported by truck instead of barge since early August, increasing costs. Other regions of Southeast Asia also experienced deteriorating air quality, with Malaysia's Sarawak recording "hazardous" levels and Indonesian authorities urging residents in hotspot-affected Kalimantan to prepare for worsening conditions.