Air quality in Singapore continues to remain in the unhealthy range due to persistent haze affecting the region. According to data recorded early on October 6, the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) showed readings of 107 in the north, 112 in the east, 117 in the west, and 130 in the central region, with only the south recording a moderate level of 95. The PSI, which measures a 24-hour average of key air pollutants, considers a reading between 101 and 200 as unhealthy.
In addition to the PSI, fine particle pollution, measured as PM2.5, was notably high across several areas. The PM2.5 levels reached 56 in the east, 59 in the west, and 60 in the central region, while the south and north recorded 35 and 48, respectively. The haze has been attributed to smoke drifting from areas in Kalimantan and southern Sumatra in Indonesia, where dry conditions have resulted in moderate to dense smoke plumes. Winds from the southeast and east-southeast are expected to continue carrying this haze into Singapore.
Authorities have warned that the PSI could linger in the high-moderate to mid-unhealthy range as dry conditions persist in parts of the region. The haze situation has deteriorated since September, with the highest PSI reading this year recorded at 164 in the central region on September 29. Concerns are growing that dry conditions may extend longer than usual this year due to weather patterns associated with a strong El Niño, potentially delaying the onset of the wetter season in Southeast Asia and prolonging the period of poor air quality.