Serian joins Sri Aman with ‘very unhealthy’ air quality

 The two areas in Sarawak recorded API readings of 229 and 228, respectively, as of 4pm while 29 other locations nationwide remained in the unhealthy range.

Sarawak remains the worst affected state as haze envelops several parts of the country. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

The haze has worsened across Malaysia this afternoon, with two areas in Sarawak recording “very unhealthy” air pollutant index (API) readings and 29 others registering unhealthy levels as of 4pm.

The environment department’s portal showed that Sri Aman recorded the country’s highest API reading at 229, followed by Serian at 228.

The other areas in Sarawak with unhealthy readings included Sarikei (194), Samarahan (185), Kuching (180), Mukah (171), Sibu (166), Bintulu (156), Kapit (156) and Samalaju (149).

In the Klang Valley, Cheras continues to record the highest API reading at 160, followed by Shah Alam (157), Batu Muda (156), Putrajaya (155), Johan Setia (155), Petaling Jaya (152), Kuala Selangor (121) and Klang (120).

Among the northern states, Penang recorded unhealthy readings in Minden (158), Seberang Perai (157) and Seberang Jaya (156).

In Kedah, the affected areas were Sungai Petani (161), Langkawi (152), Alor Setar (150) and Kulim Hi-Tech (103).

In Perak, unhealthy API readings were recorded in Taiping (158), Tanjung Malim (156), and Tasek Ipoh (152).

In Negeri Sembilan, Nilai recorded an API reading of 154, while Seremban recorded 151. Segamat in Johor recorded 132.

Other parts of the country recorded “moderate” API readings, with no “good” air quality reported nationwide.

An API reading of zero to 50 indicates good air quality, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, and above 300 hazardous. - FMT