Occasional hazy conditions expected tomorrow: NEA

SINGAPORE — Occasional hazy conditions are expected tomorrow (Oct 12).

The National Environment Agency (NEA) said in its evening update today that the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) for the next 24 hours is expected to be in the moderate range as prevailing winds are forecast to be weak and blow from the south-east. Visibility is likely to be in the normal range.

The 24-hour PSI could enter the low end of the unhealthy range if denser haze is blown in from the surrounding region.

The NEA said generally good visibility was experienced across most parts of the island today and the conditions are expected to continue for the rest of the day as prevailing winds continue blowing from the east or south-east.

As at 7pm, the 24-hour PSI was 80-90 while the 3-hour PSI was at 108.

A total of 129 hotspots were detected in Sumatra today, compared to 53 yesterday. “Parts of central and southern Sumatra are still affected by moderate to dense haze,” said the NEA, adding that some haze that had spread westward from Kalimantan is also observed over the sea areas southeast of Singapore.

Given the air quality forecast for the next 24 hours, the NEA advised healthy persons to 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.