Number of hotspots down but chance of slight haze affecting Singapore if regional situation escalates: NEA

The skies have been mostly clear since last Saturday when the air quality fell into the unhealthy range for the first time since 2019.

Rain over Singapore and the surrounding region this week had lowered the likelihood of haze.

Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said last Saturday that the haze situation is uncertain because it depends on a few factors, such as the number of hotspots and forest fires in the region, wind direction and whether it rains.

“It’s uncertain but we know that we are in an El Nino period, which means that it’s drier and hotter,” Ms Fu said.

“We need to be vigilant and expect this condition to be intermittent and come and go, or if it’s more serious, it may be with us for a while.”

NEA said that the health impact of haze is dependent on a person’s health status, the PSI level, and the length and intensity of outdoor activity.

People should check the 1-hour PM2.5 concentration readings and personal guide before outdoor activities.

They can also use the 24-hour PSI forecast and health advisories to plan for their outdoor activities.

Air quality readings and advisories can be found on www.haze.gov.sg and the myENV app.