Singapore air turns unhealthy again as haze from Kalimantan fires persist

Singapore woke up on September 27 to unhealthy air quality once again, with three regions in the unhealthy range. The 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) rose to unhealthy levels in central Singapore at 8pm the previous day, while the western and eastern regions entered the unhealthy range at 12am and 1am respectively. One-hour PM2.5 levels peaked at 131 in central Singapore at 9pm before dropping to the lower end of the elevated band.

The PSI ranged from 90 to 130 - in the moderate to unhealthy range - at 9am, with central Singapore recording the highest reading of 130. Central and eastern Singapore had elevated PM2.5 concentrations of 68 and 58, while the northern, western, and southern regions had normal readings. The National Environment Agency had forecasted a 24-hour PSI in the moderate to low-unhealthy range for the country, attributing the smoke haze to fires in Kalimantan and southern Sumatra.

Prevailing south-easterly or south-westerly winds posed a risk of smoke haze affecting Singapore. The agency also noted that dry conditions would persist in southern Sumatra and the southern and eastern parts of Kalimantan. Members of the public were advised to reduce strenuous outdoor activity when PM2.5 readings were in the elevated band, while vulnerable individuals should avoid any outdoor activity if readings reached the high-band.