PETALING JAYA: Haze conditions worsened across several parts of the country, with unhealthy air quality recorded at monitoring stations in multiple states.
As at 6pm yesterday, Melaka city recorded the highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading at 175, followed by Nilai, Negri Sembilan (174), and both Shah Alam, Selangor, and Pasir Gudang, Johor, 172 each.
According to the latest Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) data, Larkin Lama in Johor and Bukit Rambai in Melaka recorded 170 each, followed by Cheras in Kuala Lumpur (169), Port Dickson in Negri Sembilan (168), Batu Pahat in Johor (167), and 165 in Seremban, Negri Sembilan; Tangkak, Johor; and Putrajaya.
Other areas recording unhealthy readings included Kota Tinggi and Pelabuhan Klang at 164 each; Pengerang and Banting at 163 each; Alor Gajah at 162; and Segamat, Kuala Selangor and Petaling Jaya at 160 each.
In Sarawak, Samarahan recorded 160 while Kuching recorded 157, with several other areas in the state also recording elevated API readings.
The readings indicated that unhealthy air quality was affecting a broad area, particularly across parts of the peninsula, with several monitoring stations recording API readings above 150.
The situation had deteriorated during the day, with 31 areas nationwide recording unhealthy API readings at 10am. At that time, Serian IPD in Sarawak recorded the highest reading at 175, followed by Pasir Gudang at 171 and Larkin at 170.
Several areas which were previously in the moderate category also moved into the unhealthy range as the day progressed, reflecting changing air quality conditions across the country.
An API reading of 101 to 200 is classified as unhealthy, while readings of 51 to 100 are considered moderate. Readings from 201 to 300 are classified as very unhealthy, while those above 300 are hazardous.
