PM2.5 in normal to elevated bands on Oct 21, haze could worsen from Thursday

The Republic was spared the worst of smoke haze from Indonesia on Wednesday (Oct 21) as winds did not prevail from the east-southeast to southeast.But the National Environment Agency (NEA) has cautioned that smoke haze may still be transported towards Singapore on Thursday and Friday.In its daily haze situation update on Wednesday evening, the agency said that despite the forecast of showers over Singapore and the surrounding region, dry conditions are again expected over the southern parts of Kalimantan.This, coupled with the prevailing east-southeasterly or south-easterly winds, means that smoke haze from fires in Kalimantan may be transported towards Singapore — with the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) forecast to be between 101 and 160 — in the unhealthy range.The situation is forecast to persist into Friday.