Singapore’s 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index reached the unhealthy range as transboundary smoke haze from Indonesian wildfires drifted across the island, according to data from the National Environment Agency cited by CNA and AsiaOne. The central region’s PSI climbed to 102 at noon and 108 by 2 p.m., marking the first time the index crossed into the unhealthy band since October 2023.
Regional Haze Spreads Across Southeast Asia
The ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre reported in its daily weather and haze report that transboundary smoke haze was observed over Singapore. According to the center’s findings, moderate to dense haze covered central and southern Sumatra, West and Central Kalimantan, and parts of Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia. Scattered hotspot clusters were detected in southern Sumatra and across West, Central, and South Kalimantan.
The regional situation followed severe air quality degradation elsewhere in the region. According to the Associated Press, Malaysia declared an emergency in the Serian division of Sarawak after the local Air Pollutant Index surged to 521, while the state capital of Kuching recorded a hazardous reading of 311.
Did you know? Under Singapore’s air quality system, readings from 0 to 50 are considered good, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, and anything above 300 hazardous.
Indonesian Wildfires and Remote Learning Shifts
Indonesian authorities described the fires as the country’s most intense wildfire season in 11 years, according to Reuters. Fire emissions between Sept. 1 and 7 reached 19.7 million metric tons, accounting for more than a third of the global total, based on data from the European Union’s Copernicus climate monitoring service.
To protect students from hazardous conditions, approximately 1.43 million students from 12,874 schools across six of the worst-hit provinces shifted to remote learning as of Sept. 2, education ministry official Gogot Suharwoto told reporters in comments carried by Reuters. About 1.1 million of those students are located in West Kalimantan.
National Environment Agency Advisories and Health Measures
The National Environment Agency activated response plans through the government’s Haze Task Force. When the 24-hour PSI enters the unhealthy range, the agency advises healthy individuals to reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion. Pregnant women, the elderly, and children are instructed to minimize outdoor exertion, while people with chronic heart or lung disease are advised to avoid it altogether.
According to NEA’s Sunday update, moderate to dense smoke plumes from Kalimantan fires drifted toward Singapore alongside observations over southern Sumatra. While showers were forecast over northern Sumatra and northwestern Borneo, dry conditions persisted over Kalimantan and central and southern Sumatra, maintaining the risk of smoke haze affecting the island.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the haze in Singapore?
Transboundary smoke haze from intensive wildfires in central and southern Sumatra and Kalimantan drifted toward Singapore, pushed by southeast winds.
When was the last time Singapore experienced unhealthy PSI levels?
According to the National Environment Agency, this episode marked the first time haze had pushed the 24-hour PSI into the unhealthy band since Oct. 8, 2023.
How does Singapore’s Haze Task Force respond to unhealthy air quality?
The task force activates response plans that include issuing daily advisories and health recommendations for vulnerable populations, such as advising children and the elderly to minimize outdoor physical exertion.
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