Air quality expected to reach unhealthy levels

SINGAPORE — The air quality in the Republic is expected to move into the low end of the unhealthy range over the next few hours, according to a statement from the National Environment Agency (NEA) today (Sept 3). 

Singapore has been experiencing hazy conditions since early this morning, the NEA said. This is due to the spread of smoke haze from Sumatra under weakening wind conditions over Singapore, the NEA added, with the latest satellite images today showing persisting and widespread moderate to dense smoke haze in central and southern Sumatra.

As of 3pm, the three-hour PSI reading was 97. The 24-hour reading was between 80-89, indicating air quality in the moderate range. The current hazy conditions are expected to continue for the rest of the day.

For the next few days, the hotspot and haze situation in Sumatra is not likely to change significantly thanks to the current dry weather conditions. Occasional hazy conditions can be expected to persist for the next one to two days, said the NEA.

The statement said that the NEA’s chief executive officer, Mr Ronnie Tay, wrote to his Indonesian counterpart two days ago to register Singapore’s concerns over the situation and to seek an urgent update on the ground situation.

It also reiterated Singapore’s offer to Indonesia of its assistance package to help combat the haze problem there.

A total of 395 hotspots were detected in Sumatra yesterday.