{
  "id": 12824021,
  "title": "Haze worsens in Johor as Segamat records highest API",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/haze-worsens-in-johor-as-segamat-records-highest-api",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-08T08:02:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/10/1550527/haze-worsens-johor-segamat-records-highest-api"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Johor faced worsening air quality as the Air Pollutant Index (API) in Segamat surged to 189, causing five flights to be delayed at Senai airport due to reduced visibility. All eight air-quality monitoring stations in the state reported unhealthy readings, with particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) being the primary pollutant. Kluang's API reached 181, while Larkin and Pasir Gudang recorded 175 each. Tangkak, Batu Pahat, Pengerang, and Kota Tinggi reported API levels of 173, 162, 162, and 161 respectively. The API range of 101 to 200 is categorized as unhealthy, and readings between 201 and 300 are considered very unhealthy. All schools in Johor were closed for two consecutive days, impacting 1,198 schools and 617,258 students. Haze conditions in Johor intensified since late August, with the current situation worsening in recent days. Social media users expressed concerns over the worsening visibility, with some comparing the current conditions to those from the previous day and questioning the necessity for stronger action.",
  "summary": "JOHOR BARU: Haze worsened across Johor, with the Air Pollutant Index (API) in Segamat reaching 189 as five flights were delayed at Senai over poor visibility.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Mothership",
        "title": "Schools in Johor to close on Oct. 8 & 9 following worsening haze conditions",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/schools-in-johor-to-close-on-oct-8-9-following-worsening-haze",
        "published": "2026-10-08T08:52:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "[UPDATED]: Schools in areas with API above 180 to close from tomorrow; 150 on Monday",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/updated-schools-in-areas-with-api-above-180-to-close-from-tomorrow",
        "published": "2026-10-08T11:12:10.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Schools in Malaysia to close from tomorrow if haze index tops 180, Education Ministry says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/schools-in-malaysia-to-close-from-tomorrow-if-haze-index-tops-180",
        "published": "2026-10-08T12:23:17.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}