PUBLISHED ONSeptember 04, 2026 12:32 AMUPDATEDSeptember 04, 2026 1:21 AMBYSean LerAir quality in Singapore’s central region entered the unhealthy range on Friday (Sept 4) morning, recording a 24-hour Pollutant Standard Index (PSI) reading of 103.
The unhealthy band is from 101 to 200.
This is the first time since October 2023 that PSI readings entered the unhealthy range due to haze.
Data from the National Environment Agency (NEA) shows readings in other regions remaining in the moderate range.
The next highest readings were recorded in the western and eastern regions, at 88 and 87 respectively.
At the northern and southern regions, 24-hour PSI stood at 77 and 75
Meanwhile, 1-hour PM2.5 readings are within the normal range in most regions, except at the central and eastern regions, where elevated readings of 64 and 57 were recorded at 8am.
An elevated reading occurs when 1-hour PM2.5 is within the range of 56 and 150.
According to NEA's health advisory on outdoor activities during haze, members of the public should consider reducing strenuous outdoor activities for the next hour when 1-hour PM2.5 readings are in this range.
Vulnerable persons, including the elderly, pregnant women, children, and persons with chronic lung disease or heart disease, should avoid strenuous outdoor activities.
In a fortnightly weather forecast published on Sept 1, MSS said it has observed an escalation in the hotspot and smoke haze situation.
It noted that dense smoke haze was observed over southern and central Sumatra and various parts of Kalimantan on most days since around Aug 21.
"Under the prevailing south-easterly or south-westerly winds, Singapore may experience hazy conditions should the fires intensify," the agency cautioned.
The National Environment Agency will provide daily haze advisories should the 24-hour Pollutant Standard Index (PSI) in Singapore cross into the "Unhealthy" range.
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