KUALA LUMPUR – Areas previously classified as “unhealthy” in air quality this morning have witnessed a marginal improvement in their Air Pollutant Index (API) readings, although the majority still fall within this category.
The decrease in API figures since the 8am readings can be attributed to the afternoon downpour.
According to the hourly API readings on the API Management System website, locations such as Cheras (159), Shah Alam (153), and Putrajaya (153) have experienced a slight enhancement in air quality, with a reduction of five points as of 7pm. The latest readings can be checked at the APIMS website.
API readings are categorised as 0-50 (good), 51-100 (moderate), and 101-200 (unhealthy).
Port Dickson in Negri Sembilan (152) also saw a decrease of four points, while Nilai (160) and Seremban (155) witnessed a three-point drop.
In the meantime, Banting in Selangor decreased from 157 to 155, and Petaling Jaya reduced from 157 to 153.
Klang Valley areas that experienced significant air quality improvements include Kuala Lumpur’s Batu Muda, dropping from 154 to 102, Selangor’s Klang with a reading from 153 to 108, and Johan Setia, which decreased from 153 to 137.
In Melaka, both Alor Gajah and Bukit Rambai are no longer classified as “unhealthy,” with readings dropping from 136 to 94 and 153 to 90, respectively.
Similarly, Johor’s Tangkak saw a decrease in reading from 107 to 84, while the reading in Perak’s Taiping also dropped from 129 to 94.
As of 8am today, Cheras and Nilai recorded the poorest air quality, with readings of 164 and 163, respectively.
Last Friday, the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre activated an Alert Level 2 warning for Sumatra.
The Singapore-based centre reported that over the past week, extended dry weather conditions have become more widespread across southern Asean, contributing to an increase in the number of hotspots in the region.
According to NOAA-20 satellite surveillance, 241 and 145 hotspots were detected in Sumatra last Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.
Moderate to dense smoke haze was observed to emanate from clusters of hotspots detected in the central and southern parts of Sumatra, increasing the risk of transboundary smoke haze. – October 2, 2023