S'pore haze stays unhealthy in 4 of 5 regions on 8 Oct, central PSI at 139

Singapore haze PSI today: four of five regions stayed Unhealthy on 8 October 2026.

At 9pm, the 24-hour PSI read 139 in the central region, 138 in the west, 107 in the east, 106 in the south and 98 in the north, National Environment Agency (NEA) data shows.

The 1-hour PM2.5 in central Singapore hit 151 µg/m³ at 9pm, the start of NEA's High band. Kababayans who work outdoors breathe it first.

Today

The west peaked at 162 between 3am and 5am, then eased through the day. The north slipped below 101 by 7pm.

Yesterday: at 11pm on 7 October, all five regions read Unhealthy, from 109 in the north to 150 in the west.

NEA expects winds from the southeast to south and dry weather over much of the region, so the risk of more haze stays.

How to check

1. haze.gov.sg: NEA's haze site shows the 1-hr PM2.5 and 24-hr PSI for each region every hour, plus the forecast and a hotspot map. Live in Tampines? Read East. Work in Jurong? Read West.
2. Readings over the last 24 hours: under Resources on haze.gov.sg, this table shows whether the haze is building or clearing.
3. myENV app: NEA's official app. Check that the developer is the National Environment Agency.
4. weather.gov.sg and ASMC: the Meteorological Service reports wind direction, and the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre maps regional hotspots.
5. NEA on Facebook: follow NEA's own page, not reposts.

Official sites end in .gov.sg. Government officers never ask for money or bank log-ins by phone; unsure, call ScamShield at 1799.

What the numbers mean

Use the 1-hr PM2.5 for the next hour, and the 24-hr PSI forecast to plan tomorrow.

A quick walk to the MRT needs no N95. Seniors, buntis and anyone with a heart or lung condition should ask a doctor before wearing one, since it makes breathing harder.

Outdoor workers and helpers

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) tells employers to assess the risk and cut prolonged or strenuous outdoor work as the PSI rises. That covers construction, shipyard, cleaning, delivery, security and gardening kababayans.

• Up to 100: prepare, with fit-tested masks and at least one week of N95 stock.
• 101 to 200: mechanical aids, job rotation, indoor rest breaks and water.
• 201 to 300: if heavy outdoor work cannot wait, MOM strongly urges employers to provide masks.
• Above 300: minimise outdoor work; give masks or respirators when work cannot wait.

MOM calls suitable masks the employer's duty where warranted. If the employer suspends work over the haze, wages and leave should not be deducted.

Nothing changes? Raise it with your supervisor, HR or union, then call MOM at 6438 5122. An illness from outdoor work in the haze can fall under the Work Injury Compensation Act.

Kasambahay sent out for marketing or laundry can call the 24-hour helpline for domestic workers. Your employer must also carry at least S$60,000 of medical insurance for you.

A cough in a child, senior or someone with asthma needs a doctor. A polyclinic or GP costs far less than A&E; see our guide to seeing a doctor in Singapore. Parents visiting? Check travel insurance for seniors.

Where the smoke comes from

The smoke comes from fires in Kalimantan and southern and central Sumatra, carried here by southeasterly winds.

On 8 October, NEA reported moderate to dense smoke plumes from hotspot clusters across large parts of Kalimantan. Many stations in Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Borneo and Sumatra read Unhealthy to Hazardous.

Hotspots in Kalimantan fell from 438 on 5 October to 178 on 6 October, per ASMC, but thick smoke and cloud hid the full count. Check haze.gov.sg before you head out.