PSI may worsen, haze expected to persist

SINGAPORE —  There will be little respite from the haze that has cloaked Singapore for much of today (Sept 8), with the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) likely to be in the low to mid end of the unhealthy (101-200) range tomorrow (Sept 9), the National Environment Agency (NEA) said.

Today, the 24-hour PSI ventured into the unhealthy (101-200) zone from 11am. 

The poor air quality was due to smoke haze from Sumatra being blown in by the prevailing southwesterly winds, said the NEA.

As at 8pm today, the 24-hour PSI was 92-105, in the high end of the moderate (51-100) range to the low end of the unhealthy range, up from 85-98 at 8am. 

Meanwhile, the three-hour PSI was 118 at 8pm, down from the day’s high of 134 at 6pm but far higher than 74 at 8am.

Thirty-eight hotspots were detected in Sumatra today. The low hotspot count was due to cloud cover over parts of central Sumatra today.

Widespread moderate to dense smoke haze was seen in southern and central Sumatra, said the NEA. 

Haze was also observed to have spread over the sea areas east of Sumatra, said the agency. 

The NEA said hazy conditions are expected to persist tomorrow with thundery showers forecast for the morning. 

The 24-hour PSI is expected to be in the low to mid end of the unhealthy range, and may further deteriorate if the winds are unfavourable. 

Given the air quality forecast for the next 24 hours, healthy people, including the elderly, pregnant women and children, should reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion, said the NEA. Those with chronic lung or heart disease should avoid such activities, the agency added.

Those who are not feeling well, especially the elderly and children, and those with chronic heart or lung conditions, should seek medical attention.