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This is what Singapore’s record-high pollution looked like today

Can you spot the skyline?
Can you spot the skyline?
Image: Reuters / Edgar Su
By
Lily Kuo
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Pollution in Singapore, the sanitized city-state best known for its ban against chewing gum and littering, hit historic levels today. Forest burning in nearby Indonesia pushed Singapore’s pollution index to 371 by midday, well above the 300 threshold that health officials say is dangerous to public health. (The previous record was in 1996, at 226.) Officials warned Singaporeans to stay indoors. In Malaysia, 200 schools were closed. Singapore’s prime minister Lee Hsien Loong said the smog could last for weeks.

The last update was at 8pm Singapore time on Thursday. Data is from Singapore’s National Environmental Agency.
The last update was at 8pm Singapore time on Thursday. Data is from Singapore’s National Environmental Agency.
Image: Reuters / C. Chan, W. Foo
​Commuters on their way to work in Singapore’s business district.
​Commuters on their way to work in Singapore’s business district.
Image: Reuters / Edgar Su
A man looks out over Singapore’s skyline.
A man looks out over Singapore’s skyline.
Image: Reuters / Edgar Su
Every year, farms in Indonesia burn farmland to clear the land, sending haze across Singapore and other nearby countries.
Every year, farms in Indonesia burn farmland to clear the land, sending haze across Singapore and other nearby countries.
Image: Reuters / Azwar
A family in Dumai in Indonesia’s Riau province, which is covered by haze.
A family in Dumai in Indonesia’s Riau province, which is covered by haze.
Image: Reuters / Beawiharta
Construction workers in Singapore doing morning exercises.
Construction workers in Singapore doing morning exercises.
Image: Reuters / Tim Wimborne
Singaporeans wear masks even indoors to protect themselves from pollution.
Singaporeans wear masks even indoors to protect themselves from pollution.
Image: Reuters / Edgar Su
Pollution supplies were low at convenience stores across the city.
Pollution supplies were low at convenience stores across the city.
Image: Reuters / Edgar Su
A main road in Singapore’s central business district.
A main road in Singapore’s central business district.
Image: Getty Images / Chris McGrath
Emergency room visits increased over the past week, according to a spokesman for the National University of Singapore Hospital.
Emergency room visits increased over the past week, according to a spokesman for the National University of Singapore Hospital.
Image: Reuters / Edgar Su
Tourists near a statue of Singapore’s national mascot, the Merlion.
Tourists near a statue of Singapore’s national mascot, the Merlion.
Image: Reuters / Edgar Su
A man walks near Singapore’s business district.
A man walks near Singapore’s business district.
Image: Getty Images / Suhaimi Abdullah