Haze: Klang, Johan Setia Worst-Affected Areas as of 7pm

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 33 monitoring stations nationwide continued to record Air Pollutant Index (API) readings in the unhealthy category as of 7pm today, with Klang in Selangor registering the highest reading in the country.

According to data from the Department of Environment’s (DOE) Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS), Klang’s API reading dropped by one point to 194 from 195 at 6pm but remained the highest nationwide.

The reading placed Klang just seven points away from the very unhealthy category, which begins at 201.

Johan Setia remained at 192, while Nilai dropped by one point to 189. Pasir Gudang recorded a one-point increase to 186.

Over the past hour, Sandakan in Sabah recorded the sharpest increase, with its API reading rising nine points from 131 to 140.

In Sarawak, Samarahan recorded a reading of 97, while Kuching registered 90, both within the moderate category.

In the Klang Valley and southern Peninsular Malaysia, Shah Alam remained at 180, while Seremban and Larkin each recorded readings of 179. Bukit Rambai registered 178.

On the East Coast, Kemaman’s reading dropped to 133, while Temerloh (159), Jerantut (157) and Rompin (155) remained in the unhealthy category.

Of the 68 monitoring stations nationwide, none recorded air quality in the good category as of this evening.

A total of 35 stations recorded moderate air quality, with Tawau registering an API reading of 99 and Taiping recording 98.

API readings between 0 and 50 are classified as good, 51 to 100 as moderate, 101 to 200 as unhealthy, 201 to 300 as very unhealthy, and above 300 as hazardous.

AWANI