Haze risk could increase in coming week due to dry conditions: NEA

The 28 public agencies that make up the government's Haze Task Force stand ready to roll out their respective haze action plans should air quality deteriorate into the unhealthy range when the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) exceeds 100.

Hotspots in Sumatra and Kalimantan

In a media release issued on Aug. 9, the National Environment Agency (NEA) noted that the 24-hour PSI had reached 81 in the central region of Singapore as of Aug. 9, 1pm.

This places it in the higher part of the moderate range, with values above 100 deemed "unhealthy."

The release noted that recent dry conditions have resulted in an escalation in the hot spot situation.

Hot spots and smoke plumes had been observed over parts of Sumatra and Kalimantan. Under prevailing south-easterly winds, smoke haze could travel towards Singapore, particularly from hot spots in the southern parts of Sumatra.

Such dry conditions are expected to continue in the coming week, which could increase the risk of haze should the fires persist.

Closely monitoring the situation

The NEA said it would continue to closely monitor the haze situation and provide further updates if the situation changed.

Should the 24-hour PSI enter the unhealthy range, it would also issue daily haze advisories.

Such daily haze advisories would include the 24-hrPSI forecast, which the public could use to plan activities and events for the next day.

Members of the public are advised to refer to the current 1-hr PM2.5 concentration as an indicator of current air quality.

When planning outdoor or strenuous activities over the next few hours, they were advised to use the 1-hr PM2.5-associated personal guide.

The 1-hr PM2.5 concentration level can be volatile and fluctuates throughout the day based on weather conditions, particularly during periods of transboundary haze.

Health advisory

The NEA warned that the impact of the haze on an individual was dependent on their health status, the 24-hr PSI level, and the duration and intensity of outdoor activities.

Reducing outdoor activities and physical exertion and drinking water to stay hydrated can reduce ill effects from haze exposure.

It is also advised that those with pre-existing chronic heart and lung conditions should ensure that medication is readily available.

Vulnerable persons, including the elderly, pregnant women, children, and those with chronic heart and lung conditions, who develop symptoms or feel unwell should seek medical attention promptly.

It advised the public to look for current air quality readings and advisories to protect public health at www.nea.gov.sg, www.haze.gov.sg, and using the myENV app.

Haze Task Force

The Government Haze Task Force is chaired by the NEA and is tasked with developing and implementing action plans to minimise and manage the impact of haze in Singapore.

Its member agencies have robust action plans in place, allowing for tiered responses depending on the intensity of the haze, which is determined by air quality readings and forecasts.

The 28 public agencies that make up the HTF are as follows:

The Haze Task Force usually convenes annually, usually before the start of the dry season in June, in order to update its plans.

However, in 2026, the Haze Task Force has convened twice so far:

At the end of January, when dry weather in East Johor caused heat and vegetation fires, resulting in some plumes of smoke from the fires drifting towards Singapore.

The taskforce also convened in April.

The Haze Task Force's release comes after the Singapore Institute of International Affairs issued a rare "red" alert in its annual Haze Outlook report in June 2026.

The report warned of severe transboundary haze that might affect Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia; identifying the months of August and September as the "peak danger period."