Serian records hazardous API reading of 350

Kuala Lumpur - Serian district in Malaysia recorded a hazardous Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 350 on Wednesday morning, the highest in the country, according to the Department of Environment's Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS). The reading was taken at the police headquarters station in the area. Meanwhile, four other areas in Sarawak reported very unhealthy API levels, with Sri Aman at 292, Kuching at 274, Samarahan at 257, and Sarikei at 219.

Eight other Sarawakian locations recorded unhealthy API readings, including Sibu at 186, Bintulu at 174, Kapit at 172, Mukah at 171, Samalaju at 167, Limbang at 155, ILP Miri at 153, and Miri at 121. In Sabah, unhealthy API levels were recorded in Politeknik Kota Kinabalu (165), Kimanis (164), Keningau (164), and Kota Kinabalu (163).

Labuan also reported an unhealthy reading of 160, while Nilai and Negri Sembilan recorded 113. Overall, 45 areas nationwide were reported to have moderate air quality, and three areas recorded good readings. Cloud seeding operations, aimed at mitigating haze, were reportedly underway in several haze-affected areas, as well as regions with declining dam water levels, according to Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.