Singapore air quality recovers after early morning pollution spike, but haze threat persists

Singapore’s air quality improved on November 1, although authorities warned that fires in neighbouring Indonesia could continue to pose a transboundary haze risk. — File pic

First Published: Sunday, 01 Nov 2026 11:28 AM MYT

SINGAPORE, Nov 1 — Fine particulate pollution across Singapore returned to normal levels this morning after a brief spike in the west, although fires in neighbouring Indonesia continued to raise concerns over the risk of transboundary haze.

One-hour PM2.5 readings in the western region reached 59 at 5am and 6am, placing them in the elevated band, according to Singapore-based media organisation Channel News Asia (CNA).

By 11am, readings across Singapore’s five regions had fallen to between 31 and 46, all within the normal range.

The country’s 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI), which measures overall air quality, stood at between 70 and 88 at 11am, within the moderate range.

Singapore’s air quality has remained in the good-to-moderate range since October 25, following an earlier spell of hazy conditions.

However, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said dry weather across much of the southern Asean region had contributed to scattered hotspots in Kalimantan, on the Indonesian island of Borneo.

Moderate smoke plumes were also detected from hotspots in southern Kalimantan and Sumatra, while several air quality monitoring stations in Sumatra reported unhealthy pollution levels.

Showers forecast over parts of Borneo, Sumatra, Java and Peninsular Malaysia in the coming days could help ease the situation by reducing hotspots and smoke.

Nevertheless, areas experiencing prolonged dry conditions could continue to face elevated pollution levels, with the possibility of haze spreading across national borders.

The NEA forecast Singapore’s 24-hour PSI to remain in the moderate range on Sunday, at between 51 and 70, meaning the public could continue their usual outdoor activities.

The agency advised residents to consult the 24-hour PSI forecast when planning outdoor activities, while using the latest one-hour PM2.5 readings to assess more immediate conditions.

During periods of elevated PM2.5 levels, healthy individuals are advised to reduce strenuous outdoor activity for the following hour.

Children, elderly people, pregnant women and those with chronic heart or lung conditions should avoid strenuous outdoor exertion during such periods.