Hazy conditions to continue on Wednesday

SINGAPORE — An expected improvement in the haze did not occur this morning (Sept 29) and air quality persisted in the very unhealthy range since 4am. Hazy conditions persisted in Singapore today as haze from Sumatra continued to spread to the surrounding region, said the National Environment Agency in an update this evening.

The current hazy conditions are expected to continue for the rest of today and hazy conditions can still be expected tomorrow. The 24-hour PSI for the next 24 hours is expected to be in the high end of the unhealthy range and the low end of the very unhealthy range.

As at 10pm today, the 24-hour PSI was in the very unhealthy range at 163-204. The three-hour PSI was 151.The one-hour PM2.5 concentration was 148 to 196 microgrammes per cubic metre.

A total of 49 hotspots were detected in Sumatra today. The low hotspot count was due to cloud cover over parts of the island, said the NEA. Moderate to dense haze continued to be observed in Sumatra.

The NEA advised  healthy persons to avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion. The elderly, pregnant women and children should minimise outdoor activity, while those with chronic lung or heart disease should avoid outdoor activity. Persons who are not feeling well, especially the elderly and children, and those with chronic heart or lung conditions, should seek medical attention.

Last week, the Republic was hit by its worst haze spell of haze since 2013 when the 24-hour PSI entered hazardous territory, peaking at a range of 267 to 322 at 8am on Friday, resulting in the unprecedented closure of primary and secondary schools.