Singapore residents concerned as haze turns rainwater grey

Murky rainwater collected after a downpour amid the ongoing haze in Singapore has raised public concern. — Pictue via Instagram/Singaporeparents

First Published: Friday, 16 Oct 2026 2:38 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 — Heavy rain in Singapore yesterday morning failed to ease concerns over the haze, with some residents reporting blackish-grey rainwater collected in buckets outside their homes.

AsiaOne reported that a resident from Ang Mo Kio, identified only by her surname Zhong, had collected three buckets of rainwater that appeared blackish-grey.

A video shared on the Singapore Parents Instagram page also showed several buckets of murky rainwater, prompting concern among netizens.

According to a CNA video, raindrops can draw pollution particles out of the air as they fall. However, as haze contains fine smoke and pollution particles, rainfall may not remove them all quickly, resulting in discoloured rainwater.

Some social media users expressed concern over the possible health effects, with one saying they felt sorry for their lungs, according to the report. 

Another said the water in their home fish pond had turned a similar colour.

Singapore’s air quality entered the very unhealthy range on Wednesday, with the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reaching 203 in the western part of the island, AsiaOne reported.

Although air quality improved slightly earlier on Thursday, it deteriorated again, with readings reaching 205 micrograms per cubic metre in the central region at 5pm.

Sport Singapore has temporarily closed outdoor and non-air-conditioned ActiveSG facilities as a precautionary measure.

Eligible Singaporeans can also collect a pair of N95 masks, with details on eligibility, collection points and mask availability provided through the HazeMaskGoWhere website.