Singapore, 22 September 2019 – There has been a slight deterioration in the air quality in Singapore today due to smoke haze being blown in from Kalimantan by the prevailing winds. For the rest of the day, the hazy conditions are expected to persist, and the prevailing winds are forecast to blow from the southeast. As at 6pm, the 24-hr PSI was 109-121, in the Unhealthy range, and the 1-hr PM_2.5 concentration readings were 73-84µg/m³, in Band II (Elevated).

2         There were 246 hotspots detected in Sumatra today, mostly in the provinces of Jambi and South Sumatra. Moderate to dense smoke haze continued to emanate from persistent hotspots there, and some smoke haze has been blown by the prevailing winds to affect the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia.  In Kalimantan, a total of 474 hotspots were detected today. Smoke haze from hotspots in Kalimantan have been blown by the easterly or southeasterly winds across the South China Sea to affect Singapore and parts of Peninsular Malaysia.

3         For tomorrow, the prevailing winds are forecast to blow from the east-northeast or east-southeast. The shift in winds is expected to bring some showers over the region, including some parts of Kalimantan. In Singapore, slightly hazy conditions can be expected, and thundery showers are forecast in the afternoon. For the next 24 hours, the 1-hr PM_2.5 concentration readings are expected to be in Band II (Elevated), and may return to Band I (Normal) tomorrow. The 24-hr PSI is forecast to be between the high end of Moderate range and the low end of Unhealthy range, and may enter the mid-section of the Unhealthy range if denser haze from the surrounding region is blown in.

4         For the next few days, an increase in rain showers can be expected over the region, including Sumatra and Kalimantan, and the prevailing winds are forecast to blow from the northeast or southeast. The showers may help to improve the hotspot and haze situation in Sumatra and Kalimantan, although hotspot activities in parts of Sumatra and Kalimantan can be expected to persist.

5         NEA is monitoring the situation closely and will provide further updates when necessary.

6        The health impact of haze is dependent on one’s health status, the PSI level, and the length and intensity of outdoor activity. Reducing outdoor activities and physical exertion can help limit the ill effects from haze exposure. Given the air quality forecast for the next 24 hours, healthy persons should reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion. The elderly, pregnant women and children should minimise prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion, while those with chronic lung or heart disease should avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion. Persons who are not feeling well, especially the elderly and children, and those with chronic heart or lung conditions, should seek medical attention.

7          Air quality indicators and health advisories during periods of transboundary haze refer primarily to the 24-hour PSI. There are no accompanying health advisories for any other air quality indicators. In addition, the main air pollutant during the haze season is PM_2.5. Hence, the 1-hour PM_2.5 concentration readings are a good indicator of the current air quality. Use this for immediate activities like going for a jog.

8          For updates, visit our NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg), MSS website (www.weather.gov.sg), the haze microsite (www.haze.gov.sg), mobile apps (myEnv and Weather@SG) or follow us on NEA Facebook (www.facebook.com/NEASingapore) and NEA Twitter (@NEAsg). For information on the distribution of hotspots detected over the past fortnight in the region, please refer to the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) website at asmc.asean.org.