Johor still worst hit by haze but fewer areas affected nationwide

Johor continues to suffer the most serious impact from the haze, with eight areas reporting unhealthy air quality index (API) readings this morning. As of 10am, 33 regions across the country had unhealthy API readings, a decrease from 36 recorded earlier that evening. The eight Johor areas affected were Batu Pahat, Larkin, Pasir Gudang, Tangkak, Segamat, Kluang, Kota Tinggi, and Pengerang, each with API readings ranging from 169 to 190.

Selangor reported the highest number of areas with unhealthy API readings, with six areas in the state experiencing unhealthy conditions. Perak followed with four areas affected, while Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, and Pahang each had three areas impacted. In Selangor, the areas with unhealthy readings were Shah Alam, Johan Setia, Petaling Jaya, Klang, Banting, and Kuala Selangor.

Perak's Tasek Ipoh recorded the highest API reading of 174, followed by Pegoh Ipoh, Tanjung Malim, and Seri Manjung. In Negeri Sembilan, Seremban, Nilai, and Port Dickson had unhealthy readings of 184, 179, and 165, respectively. Melaka's Bukit Rambai, Bandaraya Melaka, and Alor Gajah recorded API readings of 177, 174, and 173, while Pahang saw unhealthy readings in Rompin, Temerloh, and Indera Mahkota Kuantan.

Unhealthy API readings were also recorded in Kuala Lumpur's Cheras and Batu Muda, as well as Putrajaya. In Sarawak, Kuching and Samarahan had API readings of 153 and 106, respectively. Penang's Seberang Perai was the only area in the state with an unhealthy reading of 123.

Yesterday, educational institutions in several states, including Selangor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Kuala Lumpur, and Putrajaya, were ordered to close due to the worsening haze. Schools in areas with API readings above 180 were to close, while those with readings above 150 for three consecutive days would close starting October 12.