The haze is back, Singaporeans
It's back, folks.
And no, we're not talking about the Chun Cui He Milk Tea that was recalled a few days ago.
We're talking about every Singaporean's ultimate nightmare - the haze - which returned today (Aug 26).
ABOUT THE HAZE
The National Environment Agency's (NEA) 3-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) was at 198, as of 1pm today.
The PSI is an indication of the general air quality around the island. A higher PSI value means the air is of worse quality.
Singapore's highest ever 3-hour PSI reading was at 401, on June 21, 2013. The reading was considered hazardous and led to N95 masks being sold out all over the island.
The NEA also releases a 1-hour measure for fine particulate matter (PM2.5). As of 1pm, the PM2.5 reading was highest in southern Singapore at 198, and lowest in northern Singapore at 155.
The NEA suggests using the 3-hour PSI and 1-hour PM2.5 mainly as a guide to "adjust your immediate activities".
That means you might want to cancel your evening Pokemon hunting jog tonight.
NETIZEN'S REACTIONS
The sudden onset of the haze this morning (Aug 26) has inspired netizens to take to social media with pictures, rants and jokes.
Some have taken to Twitter, posting pictures of their cloudy view.
PSI 60? Not sure. #sghaze pic.twitter.com/9dHpvDabKo
— P.Ti (@petikool) August 26, 2016
Haze haze Go away!!#sghaze pic.twitter.com/UQObOefnow
— Vivek Krishna (@vivekkrishna00) August 26, 2016
Some can't contain their anger...
Hi how're you today I rly fancy the smell of burning trees in the air and the sick yellow sunlight hbu #sghaze pic.twitter.com/r01c52996m
— Elizabeth Kao (@lizcanfly) August 26, 2016
PSI lowest in the East? Nonsense! #sghaze pic.twitter.com/MLAxCRrHLr
— Tanuj Singh (@therealtanuj) August 26, 2016
Oh cool - the haze is back with a vengeance #thanksindonesia #sghaze #11monthsofclean… https://t.co/BRyRu0Gmbf pic.twitter.com/vcv3UNHykn
— Ben Johnson (@b3njohnson) August 26, 2016
Others express resignation...
#sghaze has me like: pic.twitter.com/bSMfJKJl22
— Tanushka. (@TanooshkaM) August 26, 2016
#SGHaze - this is not good. pic.twitter.com/eRdZERAQOD
— Anjalee Patel (@anjalee_patel) August 26, 2016
#sghaze be like pic.twitter.com/WTJvrDOvoA
— Janis (@janrockiss) August 26, 2016
#SGHaze is back - stay indoors! pic.twitter.com/Z6IdH0AEnS
— Deborah N (@d_eb) August 26, 2016
Some others made jokes...
The haze is back
Everyone play your part #SgHaze pic.twitter.com/HPK85u06Hn— Faris Abkory (@farisabkory) August 26, 2016
Qns today: "How long will the haze last this year ah?" "Eh, will this year beat last year's high score ah?" #sghaze pic.twitter.com/ZcJ1MPjS8w
— Alan Seng (@AlanSeng) August 26, 2016
#sghaze Can the government increase the speed of our super big fan Singapore Flyer so that it blows the haze away from Singapore?
— Amita Natverlal (@amitanatverlal) August 26, 2016
time to bring out the masks! now to choose between the mask that looks like a bra cup, and the mask that looks like a sanitary pad #sghaze
— lvl28 Pidgey (@magetrash) August 26, 2016
Is it me or is my contact lenses has cataracts? #SGHaze
— D.Ron (@DanishRon) August 26, 2016
And Pokemon Go and haze cross-over jokes...
RT @GerardWard: It's all good, guys! We can still play today! #sghaze pic.twitter.com/IBTUNNLkTl
— Veronica (@VeronicaHarlan) August 26, 2016
#SgHaze meets #PokemonGo. It's got us #Koffing and #Wheezing LMAO pic.twitter.com/5LjmCmvxfa
— Ericssen (@EricssenWen) August 26, 2016
Hoping to catch more koffing and weezing during #sghaze
— thirteenth_step (@Thirteen_Steps) August 26, 2016
NEA has also launched a short animated video about the Haze...
Worried about the haze? Here are quick tips to keep yourself safe & healthy! #sghazehttps://t.co/NCmIwl4UI0
— Singapore Government (@govsingapore) August 26, 2016
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