Sealands Field: Air quality across much of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and other areas of Southeast Asia have reached dangerous levels.
In Singapore, a city usually known for its cleanliness, authorities have cautioned those at risk – the elderly, pregnant women and children – to minimize prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity due to the persistent haze. Those with chronic lung or heart diseases have been advised to avoid outdoor activity altogether.
The Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) in Singapore has been in the “unhealthy” range of 101 to 200 for several days. (PSI reflects the presence of six pollutants – sulphur dioxide (SO2), particulate matter (PM10) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and ozone (O3).)
Although the conditions have been unhealthy in Singapore, it has been much worse in some parts of Indonesia. In Pekanbaru, the provincial capital of Riau in Sumatra, Indonesia, the PSI hit a record level of 984 on September 14, causing thousands to relocate to safer areas.
These record-setting conditions have been attributed to fires across the region.
Please pray that the government authorities would be able to get all of the fires under control. Please pray that weather conditions would allow for the dispersion and diffusion of the haze. Pray for those who are suffering as a result of this current crisis, that they might receive the medical attention that they need.
— Submitted: Team Member serving on this field.
Photo Credit: Kuala Lumpur haze sunset by Firdaus Latif via Wikimedia Commons
