Haze: API readings reached very unhealthy levels as of 9am Sunday

PETALING JAYA: The air quality here and in areas like Port Klang, Shah Alam and Batu Muda has gone from bad to worse as the Air Pollutant Index (API) readings reached very unhealthy levels. 

As of 9am Sunday, the API readings for Port Klang was 248, Shah Alam (268), Petaling Jaya (210) and Batu Muda (237), according to the Department of Environment's website.  

Other areas with unhealthy air quality were Bandaraya Melaka (101); Bukit Rambai, Melaka (108); Nilai (142); Port Dickson (133); Seremban (153); Jerantut, Pahang (117); Seri Manjung, Perak (118); Tanjung Malim, Perak (136); Kuching, Sarawak (141); Samarahan, Sarawak (142); Sri Aman, Sarawak (185); Banting, Selangor (182); Kuala Selangor (169); Cheras (172); and Putrajaya (193). 

The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry said in a statement that the haze caused by land and forest fires in Indonesia was currently being blown by winds from Kalimantan to west Sarawak. 

It said a map issued by the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre also showed the haze moving from central Sumatra to the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. 

Schools in Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Malacca were closed on Sept 15 after API readings in some of the areas rose to nearly 200.

A reading of 100 to 200 indicates unhealthy air quality, while 201 to 300 is very unhealthy and above 300 hazardous. A reading of 51 to 100 is moderate.