Singapore's air turns 'unhealthy' due to Indonesian wildfire smoke

Singapore's air quality deteriorated to 'unhealthy' levels for the first time since 2019 on Tuesday morning, as smoke from wildfires in Indonesia blanketed the city-state. The 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) in the central region reached 154, falling within the 'unhealthy' range of 101-200. Singapore has long been regarded as having one of the cleanest air in Asia, ranking fourth regionally in IQAir's 2025 data, behind only the Maldives, Japan, and Cyprus, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 11.9 µg/cu.m. However, the haze from Indonesian fires, carried by prevailing winds, has impacted this reputation. The National Environment Agency (NEA) stated on Monday that moderate to dense smoke plumes from fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia, had drifted towards Singapore as prevailing winds shifted. Smoke haze was also observed drifting from southern Sumatra. The NEA warned of continued dry conditions over Singapore and the surrounding region in the coming days, and that prevailing winds were expected to continue blowing from the southeast, putting Singapore at risk of further haze. The 24-hour PSI first entered the unhealthy range on September 4, prompting the NEA to begin issuing daily advisories. By 9 a.m. Tuesday, PM2.5 readings across the island had returned to safe levels, though the NEA continues to monitor the situation. The NEA advised the public to reduce outdoor activities when the 24-hour PSI is at unhealthy levels. In the context of Vietnam, the environmental challenges faced by a developed nation like Singapore due to natural disasters highlight the importance of preparedness for future environmental risks, especially for rapidly growing economies like Vietnam. Vietnam itself has been grappling with air pollution issues due to industrialization and urbanization in recent years, underscoring the need for regional cooperation on environmental measures.