Haze worsens overnight with 20 stations in danger zone

KUALA LUMPUR: Air quality in Malaysia deteriorated considerably overnight as transboundary haze from Indonesia worsened, according to the Department of Environment's Air Pollutant Index Management System. Sarawak experienced the most severe readings, with 20 stations reporting unhealthy to hazardous conditions out of the 68 monitored nationwide.

The highest reading of 364, classified as hazardous, was recorded at Serian police headquarters in Sarawak, a sharp increase from the previous day's 228. Three other Sarawak stations were categorized as very unhealthy. Samarahan, Kuching, and Sri Aman also experienced elevated API levels, ranging from 300 to 214. In addition to Sarawak, 16 other stations in Malaysia fell into the unhealthy range of 101 to 200, with Sarawak responsible for 10.

Tanjung Malim in Perak, Cheras in Kuala Lumpur, Shah Alam, Putrajaya, Taiping, and Nilai in Negri Sembilan also reported elevated air quality. This worsening situation followed a warning from the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre that elevated hotspot activity and haze were expected to persist in fire-prone regions experiencing dry spells.