API in several parts of country reaching unhealthy levels

PETALING JAYA: The Air Pollutant Index (API) in several parts of the country is continuing to get closer to the ‘unhealthy’ level of 100.

As of 5pm yesterday, Tanjung Malim recorded a reading of 90.

This was a drastic increase from the previous reading of 57 which was in the ‘moderate’ zone.

However, the haze improved in Muar, Malacca City and Bukit Rambai in Malacca, from 90 to between 51 and 66.

Many areas in the peninsula and Sabah and Sarawak were safely within the good to moderate zones.

The lowest and cleanest readings were in Keningau and Sandakan, at 29, followed closely by Kota Kinabalu at 30.

API readings of between 0 and 50 indicates good air quality; 51 and 100 (moderate), 101 and 200 (unhealthy), 201 and 300 (very unhealthy) and over 301 (hazardous).

The Meteorological Department had stated that the current haze was caused by winds blowing from open burning detected in Sumatra.

The department has forecast isolated thunderstorms in the peninsula in the afternoons, with little to no rain in the morning or evening.

Sabah and Sarawak can expect isolated thunderstorms, with isola­ted rain over coastal areas.