KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 22 — The Air Pollution Index (API) reading in Serian rose to 196 as of 4pm today, nearing the very unhealthy category.

According to data from the Malaysian Air Pollution Index Management System (APIMS) portal, 10 other areas also recorded unhealthy readings — Kuching (189), Samarahan (179), Sri Aman (176), Sarikei (173), Sibu (162), Mukah (158), Bintulu (157), Samalaju (153), Bukit Rambai, Melaka (152) and Miri (143).

Meanwhile, 57 areas nationwide recorded moderate air quality, while no areas recorded good, very unhealthy or hazardous readings as of now.

The Department of Environment (DOE) is currently monitoring the country’s ambient air quality through 68 monitoring stations to detect any significant changes that could affect public health and the environment, with API data updated hourly.

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

Meanwhile, the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC), in its update at 5.42pm today, reported that clusters of scattered hotspots were detected in West and South Kalimantan, with isolated hotspots also identified in other parts of the Indonesian province.

The centre also detected isolated hotspots in central and southern Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, Java and Sulawesi, while moderate to dense smoke plumes were observed in parts of Kalimantan and Sumatra.

The ASMC portal also indicated that Alert Level 2 remains in effect for southern Asean, with updates on the region’s haze situation issued twice daily.

On the weather outlook, ASMC forecast dry conditions over most of the southern Asean region in the coming days, while showers are expected over northern Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, and northern Borneo.

The centre warned of an increased likelihood of transboundary haze due to the escalating hotspot and smoke haze situation, particularly in areas facing prolonged dry conditions, with prevailing winds expected to blow from the southeast or south.

Separately, showers are forecast to continue over most of the northern Asean region, with heavy rain expected in northern Vietnam, while other parts of the country may experience drier conditions.

While hotspots and localised smoke plumes may emerge in drier areas, the overall haze situation is forecast to remain subdued, with prevailing winds over the northern Asean region expected to blow mainly from the southwest. — Bernama