PETALING JAYA: Malaysia recorded a sharp deterioration in air quality, with 23 air quality monitoring stations nationwide registering unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of 8pm yesterday, compared with five on Sunday.
According to the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS), Serian in Sarawak recorded the highest reading at 184, followed by Samarahan (160), Seri Aman (158) and Kuching (156).
The deterioration comes as dry conditions persist over most parts of the southern Asean region, with the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) reporting scattered hotspots and transboundary smoke haze in several areas.
The centre said dry conditions were observed over most parts of the southern Asean region yesterday, except for showers over northern Borneo and Sumatra, as well as parts of Peninsular Malaysia.
Clusters of scattered hotspots were detected in parts of Kalimantan and southern Sumatra.
“A few isolated hotspots were detected in Java, Sulawesi, Sarawak, Sabah, as well as the southern parts of Sumatra.
“Moderate to dense transboundary smoke haze was also observed to cover southern and central Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sarawak, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, as well as the southern parts of Vietnam,” it said in its latest weather and haze situation update yesterday.
ASMC added that air quality stations in areas affected by transboundary haze were reporting moderate to unhealthy levels.
“Some air quality stations in Kalimantan and Sumatra are reporting unhealthy to hazardous levels.
“Meanwhile, wet weather was observed over most parts of the northern Asean region.
“The hotspot count remained low, and there was no significant smoke haze observed apart from Vietnam,” it said.
The centre said dry conditions were forecast to persist over many parts of the southern Asean region, except for northern Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo, where some showers are forecast in the coming days.
“The hotspot and haze situation in the region is expected to remain escalated with a continued risk of transboundary smoke haze.
“The prevailing winds over the southern Asean region are forecast to blow mainly from the east-southeast or southeast except for parts of Borneo, where winds are forecast to be light and variable in direction,” it said.
In Selangor, Johan Setia recorded an API reading of 166, followed by Shah Alam and Banting at 156 each.
In Johor, Pasir Gudang recorded 164, followed by Larkin (159), Pengerang (157), Kota Tinggi and Tangkak (152 each), Kluang (145), and Batu Pahat (127).
In Negri Sembilan, Nilai recorded 157, followed by Seremban (156), while Balok Baru Kuantan and Indera Mahkota Kuantan in Pahang recorded 151 and 133 respectively.
Other affected areas were Cheras in Kuala Lumpur, with a reading of 159, Putrajaya (155), Seri Manjung in Perak (147), and Alor Gajah (143) and Bukit Rambai (136) in Melaka.
