Air quality in western Singapore deteriorated to the “very unhealthy” category on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, due to transboundary haze from fires in Kalimantan and Sumatra. Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA) warned that the risk of severe haze persists, while the pollution index is expected to remain at “unhealthy” to “very unhealthy” levels through Sunday.
NEA data showed the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) ranged from 129 to 212 at 11:00 p.m. The highest readings were recorded in the western region, while hourly PM2.5 readings reached 185 in the west, 113 in the central region, and 133 in the south of Singapore.
For most of Saturday, all three regions were in the “high” category, with PM2.5 concentrations ranging from 151 to 250 micrograms per cubic meter. At 11:00 a.m., only the western region fell into that category, with a reading of 158.
Conditions have improved compared to Friday, when the PSI reached 229—the highest level this year—and entered the “very unhealthy” category. However, the NEA warned that dry weather conditions in parts of the southern ASEAN region could keep the risk of haze high in the coming days.
In its haze update on Saturday night, the NEA stated that winds from the southeast were still carrying smoke from fires in Kalimantan toward Singapore. The agency also observed the presence of haze over Sumatra.
The NEA forecasts that winds on Sunday will shift to blowing from the southeast or south. This change in wind direction has the potential to reduce the movement of haze from Kalimantan, although smoke from Sumatra may still reach Singapore.
Rain is also expected in Singapore and the surrounding areas on Sunday. The NEA noted that additional rain is likely on Monday and Tuesday in Singapore and parts of Kalimantan, while winds are expected to gradually weaken and shift to a southeasterly or southerly direction.
These weather changes are expected to further reduce the movement of smoke from Kalimantan toward Singapore. However, haze from Sumatra could still be carried by the wind to the country.
The haze has also impacted daily activities. All ActiveSG sports facilities resumed operations on Saturday after being closed the previous day due to air quality conditions.
On the other hand, uncertainty surrounding the haze conditions has prompted organizers to cancel or postpone a number of outdoor events. The FA Cup soccer final and third-place match, scheduled for Saturday, were among the events affected.
The Great Eastern Women’s Run, originally scheduled for November 1, has also been canceled. Meanwhile, The Purple Parade, an annual event celebrating the abilities and contributions of people with disabilities, has been postponed until the first half of 2027.
The Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) advises the public to use hourly PM2.5 readings as a guide to determine the need to wear masks when engaging in outdoor activities. The 24-hour PSI index is not the primary reference for these immediate protection decisions.
MOH advises vulnerable groups—including the elderly, pregnant women, and people with chronic heart or lung conditions—to avoid outdoor activities when hourly PM2.5 levels are in the “high” category, ranging from 151 to 250. If they must go out for urgent matters, they should wear a snug-fitting N95 mask or an equivalent mask to reduce exposure to haze particles.
When PM2.5 levels reach the “very high” category—251 or higher—even healthy individuals are advised to minimize all outdoor activities. The MOH states that N95 masks are generally not required when commuting between home and school or work, or when indoors.
