Singapore’s air quality remained at unhealthy levels on Saturday as the Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend got underway, with authorities warning that pollution could worsen as smoke from Indonesian fires continues to drift across the region.
The 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) ranged from 120 to 170 across the city-state at 2 pm, with the central region recording the highest reading, according to Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA). The agency warned that readings could exceed 200, entering the “very unhealthy” range.
Bloomberg reported that Singapore was prepared to assist Indonesia in tackling forest and land fires, as regional governments faced mounting pressure to contain the haze. Indonesian authorities said they were continuing measures to address the fires and their cross-border impact.
The prolonged haze has been linked to fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan, with dry conditions associated with El Niño making firefighting more difficult. Malaysia and other parts of Southeast Asia have also experienced unhealthy air quality, while reduced visibility has disrupted some flights.
The NEA said Singapore’s Haze Task Force was ready to introduce additional public-health measures if conditions deteriorated. These could include further advisories and precautions to protect vulnerable groups.
The haze has raised concerns during a Grand Prix weekend expected to draw at least 300,000 spectators. Motorsport officials said the race itself was expected to proceed as planned, although worsening conditions could lead to restrictions on entertainment and other outdoor activities.
