Singapore still submerged in toxic smog from Indonesia

According to a report by the National Environment Agency of Singapore (NEA), at 10pm on June 19, the air pollution standards index (PSI) was measured at 321, an extremely toxic level, causing the entire Lion Island to be covered in toxic smoke. This is the highest PSI level in Singapore's history. Previously, the highest PSI measured was 226 in 1997.

By the evening of June 19, shops in Singapore had run out of masks, eye drops, nasal decongestants, and air purifiers to sell to residents. Authorities in the country have repeatedly issued media announcements about the PSI and asked residents, especially the elderly and children, to avoid outdoor activities unless absolutely necessary.

The Singapore Armed Forces have suspended all outdoor training until further notice. Other organisations such as the Singapore Civil Defence Force and the Ministry of Home Affairs have minimised outdoor activities since the PSI crossed 100.

Singapore's Ministry of Manpower requires all employers to take measures to protect the health of workers working outdoors.

Singapore's Environment Minister and Foreign Minister have worked with their Indonesian counterparts, asking Indonesia to take strong measures against those who allow illegal forest fires to occur.

The toxic haze is likely to persist in Singapore for several more days as hundreds of fires in Indonesia’s Sumatra province remain uncontained, according to NEA. The peak of the heatwave and drought in Sumatra is expected to hit in the next two weeks, according to Indonesian officials.

Forest fires are expected to continue to occur, which is the cause of thick smog in neighboring countries Malaysia and Singapore./.

According to (Vietnam+) - DT