PETALING JAYA: Air quality has deteriorated in several parts of the country, with 10 areas recording unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings amid worsening haze conditions.
Nine of the affected areas are in Sarawak, while Johan Setia in Selangor is the only location in the peninsula recording an unhealthy reading, according to the Environment Department’s Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS).
In Sarawak, the affected areas include Serian, Kuching, Samarahan, Sri Aman, Sarikei, Sibu, Mukah, Bintulu and Samalaju. Serian recorded the highest reading at 180, followed by Kuching at 162 and Samarahan at 163.
Other unhealthy readings recorded in the state were Sibu (158), Sri Aman (153), Sarikei (154), Mukah (156), Bintulu (147) and Samalaju (142), based on the latest readings available on Monday (Aug 10) morning.
In Selangor, Johan Setia recorded an API reading of 153, placing it in the unhealthy category.
The API classifies readings of between 101 and 200 as unhealthy, while readings from 51 to 100 are considered moderate.
The deterioration in air quality comes as dry conditions and haze continue to affect Sarawak, with the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) reporting smoke plumes from hotspots in West and Central Kalimantan drifting northwards into western Sarawak.
ASMC has warned that dry conditions are expected to persist across much of the southern Asean region, increasing the risk of transboundary haze in areas experiencing prolonged dry weather.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department has also forecast hot and less rainy conditions in much of Borneo, including Sarawak, until Friday.
The public, particularly children, the elderly and those with heart or lung conditions, are advised to monitor the latest API readings and limit prolonged outdoor activities when air quality deteriorates.
