PETALING JAYA: Haze continued to shroud parts of the country, with 30 areas nationwide recording unhealthy air quality.
However, relief is expected from Friday with the arrival of heavier rain and a shift in wind direction.
Based on data from the Department of Environment (DOE) as of 6pm yesterday, Batu Pahat, Johor recorded the highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading at 196, followed by Nilai, Negri Sembilan (174) and Seremban, Negri Sembilan (171).
In Johor, Segamat, Pasir Gudang and Tangkak each recorded an API reading of 171, followed by Kluang (168), Larkin (166), Kota Tinggi (162) and Pengerang (160).
In Negri Sembilan, Nilai recorded 174, Seremban (171) and Port Dickson (155).
Putrajaya recorded an API reading of 166, while in Melaka, Bandaraya Melaka recorded 164, followed by Bukit Rambai (158) and Alor Gajah (157).
In Selangor, Johan Setia recorded 163, Shah Alam (161), while Petaling Jaya and Banting each recorded 157. Klang recorded 153.
In Kuala Lumpur, Cheras recorded 163, followed by Batu Muda (158).
In Pahang, Indera Mahkota in Kuantan recorded 160, followed by Jerantut (159), Balok Baru in Kuantan (157), Rompin (152) and Temerloh (143).
Kemaman and Paka in Terengganu each recorded 156, while Tanjung Malim in Perak recorded 116.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) said the cross-border haze situation is expected to begin easing from Friday as the country enters the inter-monsoon period.
MetMalaysia director-general Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said the inter-monsoon period is expected to begin on Friday and continue until the end of October, marking the end of the Southwest Monsoon which began on May 14.
He said weak winds from various directions during the period could bring thunderstorms and heavy rain, particularly in the afternoons and early evenings over most western and interior parts of the peninsula, as well as western Sabah and Sarawak.
According to the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre, moderate transboundary smoke haze was observed over parts of Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Kalimantan, Sarawak, and southern and central Sumatra.
The centre also reported moderate to dense smoke plumes emanating from hotspot clusters in large parts of Kalimantan, as well as central and southern Sumatra.
