{
  "id": 11588306,
  "title": "Haze in Singapore: Air quality deteriorating; PSI in central region back in unhealthy range",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/haze-in-singapore-air-quality-deteriorating-psi-in-central-region",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-03T03:04:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Straits Times",
    "slug": "straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/haze-in-singapore-air-quality-deteriorating-psi-in-central-region-back-in-unhealthy-range"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On October 3, Singapore's air quality deteriorated, with the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) in the central region dropping into the unhealthy range at 11am at 102. While other regions maintained a moderate range, all PSI readings rose. Elevated PM2.5 levels, a measure of immediate air quality, were recorded in the east, west, and central regions at 66, 57, and 63, respectively. The National Environment Agency (NEA) defines unhealthy air quality as a 24-hour PSI between 101 and 200, while an hourly PM2.5 reading between 56 and 150 indicates elevated fine particles. The PSI last entered the unhealthy range on September 30, with a peak of 134 in central Singapore at 1am that day. The year's highest PSI was 167, recorded on September 29, also in central Singapore. The NEA forecasted the PSI would remain in the moderate to low unhealthy range. Smoke plumes from southern Sumatra in Indonesia were drifting towards Singapore, as were smoke plumes from fires in Kalimantan. The last time the PSI entered the unhealthy range was on September 4, when it hit 101 in central Singapore. This marks the first time since October 2023 that the PSI reached unhealthy levels due to haze. El Nino and the Indian Ocean Dipole have contributed to warmer and drier conditions, increasing the risk of haze. Strong El Nino events may prolong the haze, potentially lasting longer than in non-El Nino years.",
  "summary": "The PSI in the central region was 102 as at 11am.",
  "key_points": [
    "Singapore's air quality deteriorated, PSI in central region reached 102, unhealthy range",
    "Elevated PM2.5 levels recorded in east, west, and central regions at 66, 57, and 63",
    "Haze from southern Sumatra and Kalimantan fires contributed to unhealthy air quality"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Deteriorating air quality in Singapore, driven by haze from Indonesia, signals a return to unhealthy conditions, with El Nino and Indian Ocean Dipole likely prolonging the haze.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Smoke from Indonesia pushes Singapore air quality back into unhealthy territory",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/smoke-from-indonesia-pushes-singapore-air-quality-back-into-unhealthy",
        "published": "2026-10-03T03:28:33.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CNA - Singapore",
        "title": "Air quality hits unhealthy range in central Singapore; 1-hour PM2.5 elevated in 3 regions",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/air-quality-hits-unhealthy-range-in-central-singapore-1-hour-pm2-5",
        "published": "2026-10-03T03:41:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}