{
  "id": 15204205,
  "title": "Few use Singapore haze shelters, but visitors welcome respite from heat",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/few-use-singapore-haze-shelters-but-visitors-welcome-respite-from-heat",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-17T13:13:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CNA - Singapore",
    "slug": "cna-singapore",
    "url": "https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/singapore-haze-shelters-heat-visitors-community-centres-6468211"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Saturday (Oct 17), eight haze shelters across Singapore were largely unoccupied, with only a few residents visiting to escape the combination of heat and polluted air. The air-conditioned shelters, which can accommodate over 20 people, saw little use for most of the day. Among the few visitors, retirees Ms Poh Suan and Low Cheng Yang expressed their appreciation for the respite from the stifling conditions. Ms Poh, 67, had eczema and found the shelter's cool air better than her own home, which was hot and stuffy due to the haze. Low, in his late 60s, found the shelter a welcome relief from the heat and humidity outside. While the haze has been particularly bad, especially for those with health issues, the government had begun measures to combat the pollution, including the distribution of N95 masks to eligible Singaporeans. As of Wednesday, there were over 350 haze shelters set up across the island, but the low turnout at these facilities suggests that residents are finding ways to cope with the heat and pollution without relying solely on the shelters.",
  "summary": "CNA visited eight shelters across the island, finding most empty or locked, though the few who turned up welcomed the free air-conditioned refuge.",
  "key_points": [
    "Only a few haze shelters in Singapore were used on Saturday.",
    "Retirees Ms Poh and Low appreciated the shelter's cool air.",
    "Government distributed N95 masks to combat pollution."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Few use Singapore haze shelters, but visitors welcome respite from heat",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/few-use-singapore-haze-shelters-but-visitors-welcome-respite-from-heat-15206101",
        "published": "2026-10-17T13:13:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}