Haze update for Sept 22: Thundery showers keep haze at bay, 24-hour PSI forecast to remain in moderate range

Air quality in Singapore remained in the moderate range on Tuesday (Sept 22) as moderate to heavy thundery showers again fell across the Republic throughout the afternoon.

At 6pm, the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) ranged between 59 and 77 — in the moderate range — with central Singapore recording the highest reading of 77. 

Meanwhile, one-hour PM2.5 is in the normal band for all five regions.

In its daily haze update on Tuesday evening, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said the 24-hour PSI forecast for Singapore is expected to remain in the moderate range.

This is also the first time since daily updates began on Sept 4 that a moderate-only forecast is being issued.

Explaining this, NEA said that showers are expected over Singapore and parts of the surrounding region on Wednesday, which could lower the risk of smoke haze.

However, it cautioned that moderate to dense smoke plumes were still observed from fires in Kalimantan and southern Sumatra.

Data from the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre shows that the number of hotspots in Kalimantan fell from 699 on Sept 20, to 198 on Sept 21.

Members of the public should note that the health impact of haze is dependent on one’s health status, the PSI level, and the length and intensity of outdoor activity.

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