Haze update Oct 10: Showers slightly improve air quality; 24-hour PSI forecast in healthy to high-unhealthy range10月10日雾霾最新消息：阵雨略微改善空气质量；未来24小时空气质量指数（PSI）预测在健康至高度不健康范围内。
Showers over several parts of the city-state on Saturday (Oct 10) afternoon improved air quality slightly with the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) and one-hour PM2.5 concentration readings easing from 4pm onwards.At 7pm, PSI ranged from 118 in northern Singapore to 186 in the central region, with the next highest readings of 152 and 150 recorded in western and eastern...
Showers over several parts of the city-state on Saturday (Oct 10) afternoon improved air quality slightly with the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) and one-hour PM2.5 concentration readings easing from 4pm onwards.
At 7pm, PSI ranged from 118 in northern Singapore to 186 in the central region, with the next highest readings of 152 and 150 recorded in western and eastern Singapore respectively.
Meanwhile, one-hour PM2.5, which hit the high-band at 3pm, is now in the elevated band across all five regions.
The highest concentration reading of 107 was recorded at central Singapore, while the next highest reading of 98 was at the western region.
In its daily haze situation update on Saturday evening, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said the country's 24-hour PSI is forecast to be in the unhealthy to high-unhealthy range.
It noted that moderate to dense smoke haze from southern Sumatra was observed to have drifted towards Singapore, while smoke haze was also observed in many parts of Kalimantan.
Data from the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre shows that the number of hotspots in Sumatra fell to 53 on Oct 9, but climbed to 214 in Kalimantan.
The agency added that despite showers forecast over Singapore and parts of the surrounding region on Sunday, dry conditions are expected to prevail over parts of southern Sumatra and Kalimantan.
"Under the prevailing east-southeasterly or southerly winds, smoke haze may continue to drift towards Singapore.
"The 24-hr PSI for Singapore is forecast to be in the unhealthy to high-unhealthy range."
Members of the public should check the latest one-hour PM2.5 concentration readings before participating in outdoor activities.
Haze Task Force announces next tier of action plans
On Friday evening, the Government's Haze Task Force, comprising NEA and 28 Government agencies said it is prepared for the scenario of air quality reaching the very unhealthy range .
"HTF agencies stand ready to roll out the next tier of action plans and advisories to protect the health and well-being of the public, especially vulnerable groups including the elderly, pregnant women, children, and those with chronic lung and heart diseases."
It announced various measures such as the distribution of N95 masks for Singaporeans who may be more vulnerable, the opening of haze shelters should PSI cross 201, and advisories relating to preschools, schools and workplaces.
Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu on Saturday reiterated the Government's concern about public health, and said she has been in touch with her Indonesian counterpart .
The minister also revealed that Singapore has offered support in managing forest fires.
Education Minister Desmond Lee also took to Facebook on Saturday evening, reiterating that the health and well-being of students and staff remains his ministry's top priority.
He also assured parents that lessons and national examinations will continue in enclosed venues with air purifiers, and schools are ready to step up measures if needed.
10 月 10 日星期六下午，城邦部分地区普降阵雨，空气质量略有改善，24 小时污染物标准指数 (PSI) 和 1 小时 PM2.5 浓度读数从下午 4 点开始下降。
晚上 7 点，新加坡北部地区的空气污染指数 (PSI) 为 118，中部地区的空气污染指数为 186，其次是新加坡西部和东部地区，分别记录到 152 和 150 的高读数。
与此同时，下午 3 点达到高位的 PM2.5 一小时浓度，目前在所有五个地区都处于较高水平。
新加坡中部地区记录到的最高浓度读数为 107，其次是西部地区，读数为 98。
国家环境局（NEA）在周六晚间发布的每日雾霾情况更新中表示，该国24小时空气污染指数（PSI）预计将处于不健康至高度不健康范围。
报告指出，来自苏门答腊南部的中等至浓重的烟霾已飘向新加坡，同时加里曼丹的许多地区也出现了烟霾。
东盟专业气象中心的数据显示，10 月 9 日苏门答腊岛的热点数量降至 53 个，而加里曼丹岛的热点数量则攀升至 214 个。
该机构补充说，尽管预计周日新加坡及周边地区部分地区会有阵雨，但苏门答腊南部和加里曼丹部分地区预计将保持干燥天气。
“在盛行的东南风或南风的影响下，烟雾可能会继续向新加坡飘去。”
“预计新加坡24小时空气污染指数将处于不健康至高度不健康范围。”
公众在参加户外活动前，应查看最新的1小时PM2.5浓度读数。
雾霾工作组宣布下一阶段行动计划
周五晚上，由国家环境局和 28 个政府机构组成的政府雾霾工作组表示，已做好应对空气质量达到非常不健康范围的准备。
“HTF 各机构已做好准备，推出下一阶段的行动计划和建议，以保护公众的健康和福祉，特别是包括老年人、孕妇、儿童以及患有慢性肺病和心脏病的弱势群体。”
它宣布了各种措施，例如向可能更易受感染的新加坡人分发 N95 口罩，如果 PSI 超过 201，则开放雾霾避难所，以及与幼儿园、学校和工作场所相关的建议。
新加坡永续发展及环境部长傅海燕周六重申了政府对公众健康的关注，并表示她已与印尼对口官员取得联系。
部长还透露，新加坡已表示愿意在应对森林火灾方面提供支持。
教育部长李智陞周六晚间也在脸书上发文重申，学生和教职员工的健康和福祉仍然是教育部的首要任务。
他还向家长保证，课程和全国性考试将在配备空气净化器的封闭场所继续进行，学校也已做好准备，如有必要，将加强防控措施。