At 7am on Friday, the western region of Singapore recorded a 1-hour PM2.5 reading of 145, the highest among all five regions across the island. North, south, east, and central areas also reported elevated readings, with the central region reaching 143 and the south registering 138. While these figures showed a slight decline from higher levels recorded during the night, the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) remained firmly in the unhealthy category, spanning from 111 to 163.
This air quality deterioration affects daily routines, as the National Environment Agency (NEA) uses the 24-hour PSI to guide health advisories. When PM2.5 levels are elevated, officials urge healthy individuals to reduce strenuous outdoor activity. High-risk groups, including children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with chronic lung or heart conditions, are advised to avoid strenuous outdoor activity entirely.
According to the NEA, the situation is driven by smoke plumes drifting from West Kalimantan and southern and central Sumatra. Prevailing southerly or south-easterly winds continue to transport haze toward Singapore, coinciding with dry conditions in neighboring Indonesian territories. The current PSI readings follow a trend of air quality fluctuations, with the highest reading of the year at 167 recorded in central Singapore on September 29.
Residents planning outdoor activities are encouraged by the NEA to check hourly PM2.5 levels for immediate air quality updates and consult the 24-hour PSI forecast for long-term planning. The agency expects air quality to remain in the moderate to unhealthy range as the smoke persists.