Singapore air quality deteriorates due to Indonesian forest fires
IQAir reports an air quality index of 216 in Singapore as haze obscures landmarks and raises concerns over outdoor Formula 1 entertainment.
- Singapore is experiencing severe air pollution as toxic haze from forest fires in Indonesia has drifted across its borders.
- The country's air quality index (AQI) has reached "very unhealthy" levels, ranking it among the world's most polluted cities.
- The haze is attributed to fires caused by clearing peat forests for oil palm plantations in Sumatra and West Kalimantan, Indonesia.
- An unusually strong El Niño has created extremely dry conditions, worsening the fires, while southerly winds have carried the smoke over Singapore.
Singapore, a global financial centre with an economy worth more than US$650 billion, is facing a severe air pollution crisis after toxic haze from forest fires in Indonesia drifted across borders and blanketed the country.
IQAir reported that Singapore’s air quality index (AQI) had climbed to 216, classified as “very unhealthy”, placing it among the world’s most polluted cities this week.
Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, ranked second.
The worsening haze has reduced major landmarks such as Marina Bay Sands and skyscrapers along Singapore’s skyline to faint silhouettes.
It comes as Singapore prepares to host several major international events, including the Formula 1 (F1) “Singapore Grand Prix”, an outdoor night race featuring concerts by global stars such as Janet Jackson and the band The Killers.
Singapore’s National Environment Agency attributed the haze mainly to forest fires caused by the clearing and draining of peat forests for oil palm plantations in Sumatra and West Kalimantan, Indonesia.
The agency explained that an unusually strong “El Niño” this year had brought extremely dry conditions, allowing the fires to spread extensively, and that winds from the south had carried large volumes of smoke over Singapore and neighbouring countries.
Although the haze crisis has raised concerns over outdoor entertainment at the F1 event, race organisers confirmed that they currently have no plans to change those activities.
They have prepared contingency plans with the Singapore Tourism Board based on the severity of the haze.
In Malaysia, which has been hit just as hard, the Ministry of Education has ordered schools in several states to close to protect pupils.
