Air quality dropped to “unhealthy” levels in parts of Peninsular Malaysia today, with cities such as Penang, Petaling Jaya, Kuala Lumpur and Segamat affected overnight.
The environment department’s hourly Air Pollutant Index showed air quality levels of 149-151 through the day in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur; 151-138 in Segamat, Johor; and 112-102 in Tanah Merah, Kelantan.
However, a US-based air quality index website also reported an AQI of 132 in Tanjung Bungah, Penang; and 132 in Petaling Jaya; at 7pm today.
The levels are regarded as “unhealthy for sensitive groups” but the general public are not likely to be affected.
The drop in air quality has taken place amid reports of haze in parts of the country, as the Asean haze portal reported widespread hotspots in Myanmar and Laos and scattered hotspots in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.
Air quality in the northern Asean region remained poor today, with many stations reaching “Unhealthy” to “Very Unhealthy” levels, the centre said.
Widespread moderate to dense transboundary smoke haze was observed drifting eastwards across the northern Asean region, with slight to moderate smoke plumes from isolated hotspots in western Thailand and southern Myanmar.
The centre said increased showers are forecast but persistent widespread transboundary haze and elevated hotspot activities were still expected to continue in dry fire-prone areas.
Showers are also expected over the southern Asean region, but isolated hotspot activity and localised smoke plumes may develop in drier parts of the region, the Asean specialised meteorological centre said.
Earlier today, natural resources, environment and climate change minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said peat fires, hotspots and open burning were contributing to the haze in Malaysia. Other factors were the current heat wave in Peninsular Malaysia and the reopening of economic activities after Covid-19. -FMT