Haze hits unhealthy levels across 30 areas in Malaysia

PETALING JAYA – The air quality across 30 areas in Malaysia was reported to be at unhealthy levels on Aug 25.As at 11am, Serian in Sarawak recorded the nation’s worst Air Pollutant Index (API) reading at 180, closely followed by Johan Setia in Selangor at 175.Other severely affected areas included Sri Aman (170) and Kuching (163) in Sarawak, Shah Alam (162) in Selangor, and Putrajaya (156).Satellite data from the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre identified widespread agricultural hot spots across thousands of hectares in neighbouring Sumatra, Indonesia. Strong south-west monsoon winds are carrying the dense smoke directly across the Malacca Strait to the Malaysian peninsula.According to the API management system, 37 areas nationwide recorded moderate air quality, while no areas reported “good” air readings. Only isolated pockets in Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Kedah and Perlis managed to stay below the 100 threshold.An API reading of between 0 and 50 is categorised as good, 51 to 100 as moderate, 101 to 200 as unhealthy, 201 to 300 as very unhealthy and above 300 as hazardous. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK