The air quality in Singapore has become so poor to the extent that all five areas in Singapore have experienced unhealthy air. The smog that was caused by fires in some areas of Indonesia has moved towards Singapore.
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| Image Credit: Channel NewsAsia |
Air Quality Turns Unhealthy Across Singapore
The 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) crossed the unhealthy threshold of 100 in all five regions on Tuesday morning.
At 7 am, the northern region recorded a PSI of 101, while the central region recorded 155. The southern region had reached the unhealthy range earlier, followed by the western and eastern regions.
By 6 am, readings were 98 in the north, 128 in the south, 125 in the east, 135 in the west, and 151 in the central region. Singapore classifies a 24-hour PSI reading between 101 and 200 as unhealthy.
PM2.5 levels were also elevated across the island. At 6 am, the readings ranged from 64 in the north and south to 133 in the central region. PM2.5 refers to very fine particles that can remain suspended in the air and are an important indicator during haze episodes.
Indonesian Fires Behind the Haze
The latest Singapore haze situation is linked to smoke from fires in southern Sumatra and Kalimantan in Indonesia.
Singapore's National Environment Agency (NEA) said moderate to dense smoke haze had drifted towards Singapore from these areas. Dry conditions are expected to continue over parts of southern Sumatra and Kalimantan, while winds are forecast to come mainly from the east or southeast.
Although showers were expected in Singapore, the NEA said there remained a risk of smoke haze affecting the country because of the prevailing wind conditions. The agency had forecast the 24-hour PSI to remain between the high end of the moderate range and the mid-unhealthy range.
Also Read: Delhi-NCR Pollution Control
Haze Has Returned After Earlier Improvement
Singapore's air quality has moved between moderate and unhealthy levels several times in recent weeks.
It is worth noting that the last time the pollution index for all five areas was reported as unhealthy was on September 15. Thereafter, there was an improvement in air quality in some places; however, the haze problem persisted as the smoke emanating from the Indonesian fires continued to impact the region.
Health Advisory Issued
The recommendation by NEA is to plan their activities using the 24-hour PSI from the previous day and use one-hour PM2.5 values for making decisions on immediate outdoor activities.
When the PSI is in the unhealthy range, healthy people are advised to reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical activity. Elderly people, children, pregnant women, and people with chronic heart or lung conditions are advised to take additional precautions.
The Ministry of Health Singapore further adds that a PSI value of 101 and above is unhealthy. It points out that the impact of the haze is determined by various parameters, such as the health of the individual, the PSI value, and how much one exercises outdoors.
What Happens Next?
The Singapore haze crisis is likely to be influenced by the weather and wind direction over the next few days. Although rain might bring temporary relief, dry weather in certain areas in Indonesia may cause smoke haze to drift back to Singapore. The authorities are still watching the smoke, the quality of the air, and the weather. The residents are urged to take into account any information about air quality and health recommendations.
Conclusion
The situation regarding the haze problem in Singapore has been made worse by the fact that air quality levels have dropped to unhealthy levels in all five regions as of September 29. Haze caused by the fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan is one of the contributing factors. With dry weather expected in parts of Indonesia, authorities will continue monitoring the situation closely. Residents are advised to check PSI and PM2.5 readings before planning prolonged outdoor activities.
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Author: Saurabh
Saurabh is a content writer intern at RA News Updates, based in Faridabad, Delhi NCR. He covers news, politics, and current affairs, focusing on delivering clear, accurate, and informative content. He holds an MA in Political Science from IGNOU and a BA in Political Science from PGDAV College, University of Delhi. He is also HubSpot-certified in SEO and content marketing.