Singapore haze hits 'very unhealthy' as Indonesia fires rage

· Climate · Singapore · Indonesia

Singapore said it will keep its options open on legal action against errant companies as air quality in the city-state deteriorated to very unhealthy levels. Fires are raging across Indonesia's Central Kalimantan, turning skies orange, and authorities are rescuing orangutans; the environment minister said the forest fires will be extinguished within a month, with water-bombing hampered by poor visibility. Indonesians on a fire-ravaged island are suing the state over air quality, seeking a national emergency declaration. In Malaysia, schools in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and Pahang reopened on October 15, and economists estimated the country loses up to $15.72 million a day, or RM600 million to RM1.5 billion a month, due to haze.

Why it matters：Transboundary haze damages health and economies across Southeast Asia and tests cross-border accountability for corporate and state failures.

Key points

  • Singapore's air quality fell to very unhealthy levels.
  • Malaysia estimated losses of up to $15.72 million a day.
  • Indonesians sued the state over air quality.

Sources (original reporting)

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