Singapore’s air quality at unhealthy level as haze blankets city

SINGAPORE (Aug 26): Singapore’s air quality reached “unhealthy” levels as haze from Indonesian forest fires intensified Friday, blanketing the city-state’s downtown with a layer of smoke.

The three-hourly air pollution index in Singapore rose to 128 at 11am local time, increasing every hour since 3am, according to the National Environment Agency. Readings exceeding 100 are classified as “unhealthy,” and the government advises people to reduce prolonged outdoor activities.

So-called hotspots have appeared over Indonesia’s Sumatra island and West Kalimantan, where the Indonesian government said last week it has deployed fire fighters, and is using cloud seeding and water bombing to try to extinguish the fires.

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