Smog worsens in central peninsula areas

Unhealthy air reported in 15 areas, but Met expects skies to clear beginning next week

 At 6pm on Saturday: ‘unhealthy’ levels (orange) in 15 areas; ‘good’ in blue and ‘moderate in green.

KUALA LUMPUR: Unhealthy air was reported at 15 towns and cities at 6pm today as air pollution levels from transboundary haze worsened in the evening.

The 15 areas were in the central peninsula and Sri Aman in Sarawak.

They were: Malacca city 134 and Bukit Rambai 104 in Malacca; Nilai 103; Port Dickson 108; and Seremban 106 in Negeri Sembilan; Balok Baru, Kuantan 129; and Indera Mahkota, Kuantan 110 in Pahang; Sri Aman 105 Sarawak; Banting 104; Port Klang 108; Petaling Jaya 108; and Shah Alam 111 in Selangor; Kemaman 125 in Terengganu; Batu Muda, Kuala Lumpur 109 and Putrajaya 105.

The Meteorological Department said the worsening air quality in these areas were from the effects of a tropical cyclone that had been building up over the Philippines since Tuesday, which had changed the wind directions.

However, the cyclone is expected to dissipate by early next week and the onset of the inter-monsoon season could see skies clearing, with rains in the afternoons, from early next month.

* Smog-free skies expected next week