PETALING JAYA: Haze conditions worsened across Peninsular Malaysia yesterday, with 35 Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) stations recording unhealthy levels reaching 180 by 6pm.
The worst-affected areas were Johan Setia in Selangor (180), Cheras (170) and Batu Muda (168) in Kuala Lumpur, Nilai in Negri Sembilan (168) and Putrajaya (167).
High unhealthy readings were also logged in Seri Manjung and Shah Alam (166), Minden, Balik Pulau and Tasek Ipoh (164), Seremban (163), Petaling Jaya (161) and Kuala Terengganu (161).
Other affected locations included Seberang Jaya and Tanjung Malim (159), Sungai Petani and Klang (158), Taiping (157) alongside Kuala Selangor and Banting (156).
Unhealthy levels continued in Tanah Merah (155), Bukit Rambai and Temerloh (153), Pegoh, Ipoh and Alor Gajah (152), Bandaraya Melaka (150) and Besut (147).
Unhealthy levels were similarly recorded across Johor, Pahang, Terengganu and Negri Sembilan, including Kluang (136), Jerantut (132), Kemaman (127), Indera Mahkota Kuantan (119), Tangkak (118), Port Dickson (116), Balok Baru Kuantan (111) and Batu Pahat (110).
Twenty-two stations logged moderate readings between 52 and 99, including areas in Sabah and Sarawak that were previously enveloped in thick haze.
Meanwhile, the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) reported moderate to dense smoke haze across parts of southern Asean yesterday.
In its 5.38pm update, the centre stated that haze affected Peninsular Malaysia, southern Vietnam, central and southern Sumatra and southwestern Kalimantan.
“Dry conditions prevailed over most of southern Asean, though showers were reported across much of Borneo,” the ASMC noted.
“Clusters of scattered hotspots were detected in central and southern Sumatra, while several were recorded along Kalimantan’s southern coast,” the centre added.
However, ASMC noted that extensive cloud cover obscured the full hotspot situation over Borneo.
In northern Asean, a few hotspots and light localised smoke plumes were observed in southern Vietnam.
Dry conditions are forecast to persist across southern Sumatra, most of Kalimantan and parts of Java and Sulawesi.
While forecast showers may offer temporary relief, prolonged dry weather could trigger renewed fire activity and transboundary haze.
Southeasterly to southwesterly winds are expected across southern Asean.
Conversely, wet weather will keep haze activity subdued in northern Asean, where winds remain light and variable, according to ASMC.
