Indonesia Haze Spikes Singapore Pollution, Shuts East Timor Schools
Singapore’s PM2.5 reading hit 284 micrograms per cubic metre as East Timor suspended face-to-face classes for three days, officials said.
- On Wednesday, October 14, 2026, Singapore recorded its highest pollution levels this year, while East Timor announced schools will close for three days starting Thursday, October 15, 2026.
- Indonesia is battling its most intense wildfire season in 11 years, fueled by El Nino-related drought and slash-and-burn land-clearing practices that have altered the landscape of Sumatra and Borneo islands.
- Singapore's National Environment Agency reported PM2.5 levels hit 284 micrograms per cubic metre, entering the "very high" band, while nearly 1,000 residents fled fires that destroyed nearly 300 homes in Bangka Belitung province.
- Malaysian lawmaker Syed Saddiq Rahman urged Southeast Asian nations to lodge a "diplomatic protest" against Jakarta, calling for regional banks to cut financing to companies linked to land burning.
- Jakarta has mobilized more than 69,000 firefighting personnel to combat the blazes, though disaster mitigation spokesperson Berton Panjaitan said "We must recognise that the only way to resolve this is through sustained rainfall.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Indonesia haze spikes Singapore pollution, shuts Timor Leste schools - Asia & Pacific
The blazes in Indonesia have burned through hundreds of thousands of hectares of forest and plantations on Borneo and Sumatra islands, sickened local residents and sent thick haze across the region.
Smoke from Indonesia's forest fires is now polluting the air in other countries. Pollution in Singapore has reached its highest level this year, while schools in East Timor will be closed for three days.
Malay Mail
AlKhaleej TodayIndonesia haze spikes pollution in Malaysia and Singapore, shuts Timor-Leste schools
SINGAPORE, Oct 14 — Air pollution in part of Singapore hit the country’s “very high” band today while East Timor shut schools, as haze from forest fires raging in Indonesia...
Radio France Internationale
France24Indonesia haze spikes Singapore pollution, shuts East Timor schools
The blazes in Indonesia have burned through hundreds of thousands of hectares of forest and plantations, sickened local residents and sent thick haze across the region. Air pollution in western Singapore on Wednesday hit "very high" -- the country's top level -- the National Environment Agency said. It recorded levels of tiny particulates capable of penetrating the blood and lungs -- known as PM2.5 -- at 288 micrograms per cubic metre, vastly ex…
Singapore pollution spikes, East Timor shuts schools as Indonesia wildfire haze intensifies
SINGAPORE/DILI/JAKARTA, Oct 14 (Reuters) - Pollution readings in Singapore reached their highest level this year on Wednesday while East Timor shut its schools for three days in response to intensifying smoke and haze from Indonesia's wildfires. Singap...
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