KUALA LUMPUR: Ten areas nationwide recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of 7pm on Thursday (Aug 27).
According to the Environment Department’s APIMS website, Sri Aman and IPD Serian in Sarawak recorded the highest API readings at 157.
In Kuala Lumpur, the affected areas were Cheras (156) and Batu Muda (114), while in Selangor, Johan Setia recorded a reading of 153 and Shah Alam 127. Meanwhile, Putrajaya recorded a reading of 138.
In Negri Sembilan, Nilai recorded a reading of 127 and Seremban 110.
Kedah was also affected, with Sungai Petani at 106.
55 other areas in the country recorded moderate API readings.
Only Temerloh in Pahang had a good air quality reading at 48.
Environment Department deputy director-general (Development) Azuri Azizah Saedon said the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre, based on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s satellite images, detected 266 hotspots in Kalimantan and 164 in Sumatra, while four hotspots were detected in Malaysia.
She added that the department had increased daily enforcement and patrols in areas at risk of open burning.
The National Open Burning Action Plan and National Haze Action Plan were also activated to coordinate efforts to address the situation.
The public can monitor the latest API readings via the APIMS website at https://eqms.doe.gov.my/APIMS/main or via the MyJAS EQMS application.
