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SINGAPORE - The overall air quality of Singapore has worsened this morning as the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) rose to a 54 to 59 range as of 12pm today.
This places it in the moderate range of above 50 to 100 PSI, the National Environment Agency (NEA) reported.
The PSI reading was the highest in the east (PSI 59) followed by the north (PSI 58) and the south (PSI 57).
The west recorded a PSI reading of 54 and central PSI 56.
This is up from the average PSI reading of a 53 to 56 range at NEA's 8am reading today.
NEA said it has observed an increase in hotspot activities in Sumatra over the past week, which might have contributed to the hazy conditions over here.
The current Southwest Monsoon season sees winds blowing predominantly from the southeast or southwest. This results in smoke from hotspot activities in Sumatra and Borneo, where weather is dry, being blown towards Singapore.
Singapore is expected to experience brief periods of slightly hazy conditions over the next few weeks should fires in the region persist.
NEA issued a health advisory advising those suffering from heart or lung disease, children and the elderly to reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.
yamadak@sph.com.sg