Singapore haze eases overnight, but air quality remains unhealthy

NEA says the transport of smoke haze from Kalimantan to Singapore could ease on Saturday, with shifting winds and showers expected over Singapore and the surrounding region.

A delivery rider wearing a mask makes a turn along Toa Payoh Lorong 8, Oct 16, 2026. (Photo: CNA/Wallace Woon)

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SINGAPORE: The haze situation in Singapore appeared to have eased overnight, with air pollution readings falling from Friday's highs, although air quality remained in the unhealthy range across the island on Saturday morning (Oct 17).

As at 7am, the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) ranged from 144 to 191, with the highest reading recorded in central Singapore.

The readings were lower than those recorded on Friday, when the PSI climbed to as high as 229 , entering the very unhealthy range and reaching its highest level this year.

The 1-hour PM2.5 readings, which provide a more immediate indication of air quality, ranged from 75 to 119 at 7am. These were within the elevated band, which covers readings of 56 to 150.

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The National Environment Agency (NEA) said on Friday that dense smoke haze from fires in Kalimantan continued to drift towards Singapore under prevailing southeasterly winds. Smoke haze was also observed over Sumatra.

However, the agency said the transport of smoke haze from Kalimantan to Singapore could ease on Saturday, with showers expected over Singapore and the surrounding region, including parts of Kalimantan.

Winds are also forecast to shift to blow from the southeast or south-southeast, potentially reducing the amount of smoke haze reaching Singapore from Kalimantan.

Some smoke haze from Sumatra could still drift towards Singapore, NEA cautioned.

Despite the improvement in overnight readings, the agency has forecast the 24-hour PSI for Saturday to range from 150 to 230, spanning the unhealthy and very unhealthy categories.

Conditions could improve further on Sunday and Monday, with showers forecast over Singapore and parts of Kalimantan. Winds are also expected to gradually weaken and blow from the southeast or south, potentially further reducing the transport of haze from Kalimantan.

Under the Ministry of Health's (MOH) latest haze advisory, members of the public are advised to refer to 1-hour PM2.5 readings, rather than the 24-hour PSI, when deciding whether to wear a mask for immediate outdoor activities.

The 1-hour PM2.5 reading provides a more immediate indication of air quality, while the 24-hour PSI forecast remains the basis for planning activities the following day.

MOH said vulnerable individuals, including the elderly, pregnant women and those with chronic heart or lung conditions, should avoid outdoor activities when hourly PM2.5 readings are in the high band of 151 to 250.

Those who need to go outdoors for immediate activities may wear a well-fitting N95 mask or equivalent to reduce their exposure to haze particles.

When PM2.5 readings reach the very high band of 251 and above, healthy individuals should also minimise all outdoor activities. Those who need to venture outdoors may similarly use an N95 mask for protection.

The ministry also cautioned that elderly people, pregnant women and those with severe heart or lung conditions who experience breathing difficulties should consult their doctor before using an N95 mask.

Those who experience discomfort while wearing one should take a break from using it.

Besides N95 masks, KN95, FFP2 and KF94 masks are also effective in reducing exposure to haze particles, MOH said.

Members of the public can visit the HazeMaskGoWhere website for more information on collection locations and live updates on mask availability at the vending machines.

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新加坡国家环境局表示，周六加里曼丹岛向新加坡输送的烟霾可能会有所缓解，预计新加坡及其周边地区将出现风向转变和阵雨。

2026年10月16日，一名戴着口罩的外卖骑手在Toa Payoh Lorong 8转弯。（图片：CNA/Wallace Woon）

这段音频由人工智能工具生成。

新加坡：新加坡的雾霾情况似乎在一夜之间有所缓解，空气污染读数从周五的高点下降，尽管周六（10 月 17 日）上午全岛的空气质量仍然处于不健康范围。

截至早上 7 点，24 小时污染物标准指数 (PSI) 介于 144 至 191 之间，其中新加坡中部地区的读数最高。

这些读数低于周五的记录，当时 PSI 指数攀升至 229 的高位，进入非常不健康的范围，并达到今年的最高水平。

早上 7 点，PM2.5 1 小时读数（可更直接地反映空气质量）介于 75 至 119 之间。这些数值处于偏高范围内，偏高范围的读数为 56 至 150。

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新加坡国家环境局（NEA）周五表示，加里曼丹岛火灾产生的浓烟在盛行的东南风作用下继续向新加坡飘移。苏门答腊岛上空也观测到了烟雾。

不过，该机构表示，周六从加里曼丹岛向新加坡输送的烟霾可能会有所缓解，预计新加坡及周边地区（包括加里曼丹岛部分地区）将有阵雨。

预计风向也将转为东南风或东南偏南风，这可能会减少从加里曼丹岛飘到新加坡的烟雾量。

新加坡国家环境局警告称，来自苏门答腊岛的部分烟雾仍有可能飘向新加坡。

尽管夜间读数有所改善，但该机构预测周六的 24 小时 PSI 值将在 150 到 230 之间，涵盖不健康和非常不健康的类别。

预计周日和周一天气状况将进一步改善，新加坡和加里曼丹部分地区将有阵雨。风力预计也将逐渐减弱，并转为东南风或南风，这可能会进一步减少来自加里曼丹的雾霾输送。

根据卫生部最新的雾霾建议，公众在决定是否佩戴口罩进行户外活动时，应参考 1 小时 PM2.5 读数，而不是 24 小时 PSI 值。

1 小时 PM2.5 读数可以更直接地指示空气质量，而 24 小时 PSI 预测仍然是第二天计划活动的基础。

卫生部表示，老年人、孕妇以及患有慢性心脏或肺部疾病的人等弱势群体，在PM2.5小时读数处于151至250的高位区间时，应避免户外活动。

那些因紧急情况需要外出的人可以佩戴贴合度良好的 N95 口罩或同等防护等级的口罩，以减少接触雾霾颗粒。

当PM2.5浓度达到251及以上（极高水平）时，健康人群也应尽量减少户外活动。必须外出的人群同样可以佩戴N95口罩进行防护。

该部还提醒，老年人、孕妇以及患有严重心脏或肺部疾病且出现呼吸困难的人，在使用 N95 口罩前应咨询医生。

如果佩戴时感到不适，应暂停使用。

卫生部表示，除了N95口罩外，KN95、FFP2和KF94口罩也能有效减少接触雾霾颗粒。

公众可以访问 HazeMaskGoWhere 网站，了解更多关于口罩收集地点和自动售货机口罩供应情况的实时更新信息。

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