KUALA LUMPUR: The haze is slowly but surely coming back, with some areas in the Klang Valley showing Air Pollutant Index readings (API) ranging from moderate to unhealthy.
Most of the API readings displayed at the Department of Environment showed air quality rising from moderate to unhealthy levels.
As of 3pm yesterday, Batu Muda recorded an unhealthy API reading of 126 while other areas in the Klang Valley and nationwide recorded good and moderate readings.
API readings in hot spots like Shah Alam recorded 88, Port Klang (86), Cheras (80),
Banting (71), Kuala Selangor (79), Petaling
Jaya (76) and Putrajaya (70).
Other locations classified as moderate were Nilai (61), Kampung Air Putih, Taiping (60), SK Jalan Pegoh, Ipoh (60), Port Dickson (59), Tanjung Malim (57), Bakar Arang (Sungai Petani) (56), Bintulu (55), Kemaman (55), Seremban (54), Balok Baru, Pahang (54) and Jerantut (54).
Malaysian Meteorological Department commercial and corporate services director Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said the haze yesterday was a result of local activities, such as smoke from vehicles and factories, and local burning.