Singapore haze worsens as hourly PM2.5 reaches 288 in west, highest since 2015
Sports facilities were closed and outdoor activities suspended as air quality deteriorated across the country.
A view of the haze in the Marina Bay area overlooking the central business district and the Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay at 1.20pm on Oct 14, 2026. (Photo: CNA/Raydza Rahman)
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SINGAPORE: Hourly PM2.5 readings rose across all regions of Singapore at 3pm on Wednesday (Oct 14), with the reading in the west climbing further to 288 in the very high band.
The western reading had surged from 195, in the high band, to 284 at 2pm before rising to 288 an hour later.
Hourly PM2.5 readings were in the high range in the south (177), east (208) and central (218) regions. The reading in the north rose to 140, in the elevated range.
During a severe haze episode in October 2015, Singapore recorded an hourly PM2.5 reading of 471 in the western region at 11pm on Oct 19. It was among the highest readings reported during that year's haze crisis.
NEA began publishing hourly PM2.5 readings in 2014.
As of 3pm on Wednesday, the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) was in the unhealthy band across all regions, ranging from 114 to 160.
Under the National Environment Agency’s (NEA) health advisory, when hourly PM2.5 readings enter the very high range (251 and above), people should minimise outdoor activities for the next hour.
Seniors, pregnant women, children and others who are vulnerable should avoid outdoor activities altogether during this period.
N95 MASK DISTRIBUTION BEGINS
The government began the phased distribution of N95 masks to vulnerable Singaporeans on Wednesday after PM2.5 levels reached the very high range.
NEA said the decision also took into account the possibility that the 24-hour PSI could enter the very unhealthy range.
The move comes before the 24-hour PSI has crossed 200. The Haze Task Force had said on Friday that N95 masks would be distributed to more vulnerable individuals when the 24-hour PSI exceeded 200 and entered the very unhealthy range.
N95 masks will be made available progressively at designated collection points and may not be immediately available at all locations, NEA said on Wednesday.
Vending machines for the masks will be progressively deployed across Singapore from Wednesday evening, while stocks at all collection points will be replenished regularly.
Eligible Singaporeans can collect packs of two N95 masks using their NRICs once masks become available at the respective collection points.
Those eligible include:
- Pioneer and Merdeka generations
- CHAS Orange and Blue cardholders
- Medical Fee Exemption Card holders
- Recipients of ComCare Assistance
They can collect masks at community clubs or vending machines at selected public transport hubs, Social Service Offices and People's Association venues.
Pregnant women, children aged seven to 16 and people with medical conditions such as asthma can collect masks at community clubs.
NEA said N95 masks may be temporarily unavailable at some retail outlets due to increased demand, but there were sufficient stocks in retailers' warehouses and government stockpiles.
The Haze Task Force is working with retailers to replenish stocks and ensure the masks remain available to the public, it added.
HAZE SHELTERS
Air-conditioned rooms at community clubs and selected Residents' Committee (RC) and Residents' Network (RN) centres have also been set up as haze shelters, NEA said.
Members of the public can seek respite from the haze at these shelters and may contact their nearest community club for details on locations and operating hours.
If the 24-hour PSI enters the hazardous range, the opening hours of haze shelters at community clubs will be extended until 10pm.
SPORTS FACILITIES CLOSED
In response to the elevated PM2.5 readings, Sport Singapore (SportSG) temporarily closed all outdoor and non-air-conditioned facilities at ActiveSG sport centres in the west.
The affected facilities are in Jurong East, Sport Village@Jurong Town, Jurong Lake Gardens, Jurong West, Hockey Village@Boon Lay, Bukit Batok, Bukit Gombak, Choa Chu Kang, Senja-Cashew and Clementi.
SportSG said it would continue to monitor the haze situation and adjust its operations as necessary.
Separately, SAFRA Toa Payoh suspended all outdoor activities and closed its swimming pool.
In its latest advisory, NEA said dense smoke haze from fires in Kalimantan was observed drifting towards Singapore under the prevailing southeasterly winds. Smoke haze was also observed over Sumatra.
The dense smoke haze is expected to continue drifting towards Singapore overnight and on Thursday with the prevailing winds.
While some showers are forecast over Singapore and parts of the surrounding region on Thursday, dry conditions are expected to persist over parts of southern Sumatra and Kalimantan.
NEA forecast Singapore's 24-hour PSI to be in the unhealthy to very unhealthy range over the next 24 hours.
