Haze in Singapore: PSI hits 184 in central region, a new high for 2026
Highest hourly PM2.5 reading to date in 2026 was recorded in the west at 2 am on Oct 9, peaking at 171
On Friday, October 9, Singapore experienced its highest air quality reading of 2026, with the central region's Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) peaking at 184. The 24-hour PSI level in the central area rose to 184 at 1 pm, marking the highest reading for the year. The hourly PM2.5 reading, a measure of immediate air quality, was 137, falling within the "elevated" band.
The central region's PSI had been steadily increasing since morning, reaching 170 at 9 am. Other regions of the island reported PSI readings ranging from 127 in the north to 184 in the west. While air quality is considered unhealthy between 101 and 200, readings in these other areas remained largely unhealthy for most of the day.
However, one-hour PM2.5 readings in other parts of Singapore were also elevated, peaking at 171. The National Environment Agency (NEA) advised that healthy individuals should limit prolonged or strenuous outdoor activities, while vulnerable people should avoid all outdoor activities during periods of high PM2.5 readings.
Written by urgent.news from The Business Times - Singapore's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
