Air quality may enter very unhealthy range over next 24 hours

SINGAPORE — The 24-hr PSI for the next 24 hours is expected to be between the mid and high sections of the unhealthy range, and may enter the low end of the very unhealthy range if denser haze is blown in, said the National Environment Agency (NEA) at 7pm today (Oct 2).

So far, widespread showers over Singapore and the surrounding region has helped improve air quality today, said the NEA.

As of 10pm, the 24-hour PSI reading was 100-133, while the 3-hour PSI was at 122.

However, the NEA said that widespread haze was still persisting in parts of central and southern Sumatra, with some haze spreading from Kalimantan observed over the sea areas south-east of Singapore. 

"For the rest of today and tomorrow, the prevailing winds are forecast to blow from the southeast or south. The current hazy conditions are expected to persist with a possibility of some deterioration," the NEA said.

"Visibility tomorrow is likely to deteriorate especially in the morning when humidity is high, as moisture has a swelling  effect on the haze particles," the NEA also noted.

The NEA advised healthy persons to avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion. The elderly, pregnant women and children should also minimise outdoor activity, while those with chronic lung or heart disease should avoid outdoor activity. Persons who are not feeling well, especially the elderly and children, and those with chronic heart or lung conditions, should seek medical attention.