If you thought Singapore was the only major city in the region with haze…think again. Fueled by the brutally dry El Niño, Indonesia’s forest fires have spiralled into a full-blown regional health crisis. For weeks, toxic haze has choked Southeast Asia, forcing school closures in places like East Timor and governments to distribute free protective masks. Caught in the direct path of these shifting winds are Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, which keep ranking as the most heavily polluted major cities in Southeast Asia.
Which Southeast Asian cities have the worst haze today?
As real time conditions rapidly fluctuate, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur keep finding themselves leading at no.1 and no.2 as the worst cities for haze in Southeast Asia.
At the time of writing on October 16, the live IQAir World Major City Ranking data shows that Singapore and Kuala Lumpur have breached the red very unhealthy range over 200—prompting immediate health advisories. Meanwhile, Indonesian cities like Medan and Jakarta are also battling severe pollution.
Here’s the top five major Southeast Asia cities for haze right now:
- Singapore
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Medan, Indonesia
- Jakarta, Indonesia
- Hanoi, Vietnam
Authorities are urging residents across the region to remain vigilant as haze conditions rapidly change, limited outdoor exposure, use air purifiers, and wear an N95 mask if needed. Get our haze protection guide.
Updated on October 16: Singapore topped the list, knocking KL to second place, and is now the leading city for the world’s worst air quality. Learn more here. See where to get a free mask in Singapore.
