Air quality to improve to moderate range: NEA

SINGAPORE — Hazy conditions are expected to improve to the moderate range tonight and remain in that range for the next 24 hours, said the National Environment Agency in an update today (Oct 7).

As at 6pm, the 24-hour PSI was 88-110, while the 3-hour PSI was 70. The 1-hr PM2.5 was 20-34 µg/m3.

"Widespread showers in the pre-dawn hours and early morning brought a significant improvement to the haze and visibility conditions in Singapore today", said the NEA, adding that current conditions are expected to persist for the rest of the day.

Occasional slightly hazy conditions can be expected tomorrow as prevailing winds are expected to be weak and to blow from the east or southeast, said the NEA.

Visibility is expected to remain poor particularly in the morning, and improve gradually through the day if the haze situation eases, said the NEA yesterday.

The agency said that widespread haze is persisting in parts of Sumatra, and haze spreading westward from Kalimantan is still observed over the sea areas to the far south of Singapore.

Partial satellite pass meant only eight hotspots were detected in Sumatra today, the same count as yesterday.

Given the air quality forecast for the next 24 hours, the NEA said everyone can continue with normal activities. 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.