Air quality in all regions of S’pore in unhealthy range

The one-hour PM2.5 readings across the island on Sept 15 largely fell to normal levels, ranging from 32 to 44 micrograms per cubic m, as at 6am.

The exceptions were the central (66) and west (59) regions, where the PM 2.5 readings remained in the elevated range.

Readings of 56mcg per cubic m to 150mcg per cubic m are considered elevated, while levels of 151mcg to 250mcg per cubic m are in the “high” range. Anything below 55 and below is considered normal.

In an advisory at about 6.30pm on Sept 14, NEA said air quality in Singapore for the next 24 hours is forecast to be in the high moderate to mid-unhealthy range.

The PSI crossed into the unhealthy range two weeks ago, hitting 101 in central Singapore on the morning of Sept 4. In the days that followed, readings in the central, eastern and western parts of Singapore occasionally crossed into the unhealthy range.

This month’s developments mark the first time since October 2023 that the PSI in Singapore hit unhealthy levels because of haze, with the authorities earlier warning of the risk of haze between June and October as a result of warmer and drier conditions brought on by both El Nino and the Indian Ocean Dipole.

In its Sept 14 advisory, NEA added that moderate to dense smoke plumes, some of which were noticed to be drifting towards Singapore, continue to be observed from forest fires in Kalimantan.

Smoke plumes were also observed in southern Sumatra.

Dry conditions are forecast over Singapore and the surrounding region in the coming days, NEA added.

“With the prevailing winds forecast to continue blowing from the south-east to east-southeast, Singapore will likely be affected by smoke haze,” the agency said.