{
  "id": 8451039,
  "title": "Crowds at open-air diners, parks thin out as air quality deteriorates on Sept 19",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/crowds-at-open-air-diners-parks-thin-out-as-air-quality-deteriorates",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-19T11:38:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Straits Times",
    "slug": "straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/community/diners-park-goers-take-precautions-as-air-quality-deteriorates-on-sept-19"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On September 19, the air quality in Singapore deteriorated, causing crowds to thin out at popular East Coast Lagoon Food Village and parks. Smoke from regional forest and peatland fires in neighboring Indonesia had caused the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) to exceed 100, entering the unhealthy range. Rahmatthulla, a food vendor at the East Coast Lagoon Food Village, observed fewer customers and empty tables, attributing the drop in footfall to the poor weather conditions, especially for families with children. Roy Tan, a worker at a nearby hawker centre, expressed hope that the weather would improve soon to boost business. Some beach-goers wore masks, as their decision to avoid the haze depended on their ability to smell it. The morning qigong session for residents aged 50 and above in Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park was suspended due to the haze, with organizers sending daily messages to confirm the session's continuation. Participants expressed hope that the weather would improve, but were prepared for the possibility of more cancellations. The National Environment Agency (NEA) stated that dry conditions would continue and spread from Kalimantan and southern Sumatra, with smoke plumes likely to drift towards Singapore due to prevailing winds. The 24-hr PSI for Singapore was forecast to remain in the high-moderate to mid-unhealthy range.",
  "summary": "On Sept 19, air quality in parts of Singapore deteriorated again after a few days of respite.",
  "key_points": [
    "Air quality in Singapore deteriorated on September 19",
    "Smoke from Indonesian forest and peatland fires caused unhealthy PSI",
    "Crowds thinned at East Coast Lagoon Food Village and parks"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}