Singapore central region hits 2026 record of 181 PSI amid transboundary haze

Air pollution is seen across the skyline as workers prepare the street circuit before the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix night race in Singapore on October 8, 2026. — AFP pic

By Malay Mail

First Published: Friday, 09 Oct 2026 1:06 PM MYT

SINGAPORE, Oct 9 — Singapore recorded its worst air quality of the year today after the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) in the central region climbed to 181 at noon, marking a new high for 2026.

The one-hour PM2.5 concentration in the central district also breached the “high” threshold, touching 151 micrograms per cubic metre.

Readings had climbed steadily throughout the morning from 170 at 9am, eclipsing the previous 2026 high of 167 set on Sept 29, The Straits Times reported.

At noon, 24-hour PSI levels across the rest of the island hovered firmly in the unhealthy bracket of 101 to 200, recording 170 in the west, 160 in the south, 155 in the east, and 123 in the north.

One-hour PM2.5 readings were elevated island-wide, ranging from 104 in the south to 147 in the east.

Under National Environment Agency (NEA) guidelines, the public has been advised to reduce strenuous outdoor activity.

Vulnerable individuals, including the elderly, pregnant women, children, and people with chronic heart or lung conditions, should minimise or avoid outdoor exertion entirely.

The NEA attributed the deterioration to dense smoke plumes blown across from fire hotspots in southern and central Sumatra as well as West Kalimantan.

“Under the prevailing south-easterly or southerly winds, smoke haze may continue to drift towards Singapore,” the agency said.