Haze watch Oct 14: PM2.5 hits 'very high' band reading of 284 in western Singapore

Air quality in Singapore has been worsening through Wednesday (Oct 14) afternoon, with one-hour PM2.5 hitting 284 in the western region at 2pm.

This is the highest concentration reading recorded this year.

Elsewhere, concentration readings in central (206) Singapore also crossed 200, but remains in the high band.

The next highest concentration readings were recorded in eastern (195) and southern (159) Singapore.

When PM2.5 readings are in the “very high” band, healthy persons should minimise all outdoor activities for the next hour.

Those who are vulnerable or have lung and heart ailments are advised to avoid all outdoor activity for the next hour.

Meanwhile, 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) remained in the unhealthy range, with the highest reading of 153 recorded in the western region.

Weather, PSI forecast

According to the National Environment Agency's weather microsite, thundery showers are forecast mainly over northern, western and central Singapore in the afternoon.

But the agency also pointed out in its daily haze situation update on Tuesday evening that with dry conditions expected to persist over parts of southern Sumatra and Kalimantan, coupled with the prevailing winds, smoke haze may still drift towards Singapore.

The city state's 24-hour PSI forecast till this evening is expected to remain in the unhealthy range.

Members of the public should check the latest PM2.5 readings before participating in outdoor activities.

新加坡的空气质量在周三（10 月 14 日）下午持续恶化，下午 2 点西部地区的 PM2.5 一小时浓度达到 284。

这是今年记录到的最高浓度读数。

新加坡中部（206）其他地方的浓度读数也超过了 200，但仍处于高位。

新加坡东部（195）和南部（159）记录到的浓度读数次高。

当 PM2.5 读数处于“非常高”级别时，健康人群应在接下来的一个小时内尽量减少所有户外活动。

建议体弱者或患有肺部和心脏疾病的人在接下来的一个小时内避免所有户外活动。

与此同时，24 小时污染物标准指数 (PSI) 仍处于不健康范围内，西部地区记录到的最高读数为 153。

天气、PSI预测

根据国家环境局的天气微网站预测，下午新加坡北部、西部和中部地区将主要出现雷阵雨。

但该机构在周二晚间的每日雾霾情况更新中也指出，由于预计苏门答腊南部和加里曼丹部分地区将持续干燥，再加上盛行风向，烟雾仍可能飘向新加坡。

预计该城市州未来24小时的空气污染指数（PSI）将持续到今晚，并处于不健康水平。

公众在参加户外活动前应查看最新的PM2.5读数。