SINGAPORE – Singapore's government agencies are ready to roll out action plans should air quality be impacted by transboundary haze, as drier and warmer weather linked to the developing El Nino increases the risk of forest fires across southern ASEAN, a government official said Wednesday.

Responding to a parliamentary question, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said Singapore has ensured sufficient mask stockpiles and equipped schools, preschools, residential homes and care facilities with air purifiers.

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The move follows the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Center's activation of Alert Level 2 for the southern ASEAN region on Monday, signaling an elevated risk of transboundary haze.

The Meteorological Service Singapore expects dry weather in the region over the next week, which could increase the risk of transboundary haze affecting Singapore should burning intensify in Kalimantan and southern Sumatra.

Fu said the government has also stepped up public communications efforts in view of the heightened risk of transboundary haze.