KUALA LUMPUR: The haze situation in the nation is showing no clear sign of improvement as at 5pm today.
The latest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading on Department of Environment's website revealed that Sarawak is still the worst hit state with two areas recording "Very Unhealthy" readings.
Sri Aman recorded a reading of 248 followed closely by Kuching at 245. Its Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas earlier today said that cloud seeding could take place on Thursday pending weather condition.
“Looking at the direction of air and the forecast, that is the earliest time (to do it). Again, it depends on the clouds, whether they cover the affected areas,” he said after attending a celebration held in conjunction with the official birthday of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in Serian today.
Meanwhile, Samarahan in Sarawak recorded a reading of 195, followed by Johan Setia Klang (MCAQM) in Selangor (150), Sarikei (149), Sibu (123), Cheras in Kuala Lumpur (110), Nilai in Negri Sembilan (108), Industrial Training Institute (ILP) Miri (107), Batu Muda (105) and Putrajaya (103). All these areas recorded "Unhealthy" readings.
The rest of the nation (57 stations) recorded a "Moderate" reading.
API readings of 0-50 are considered Good, followed by Moderate (51-100), Unhealthy (101-200), Very Unhealthy (201-300) and Hazardous (above 300). The readings can be viewed at http://apims.doe.gov.my/public_v2/home.html.
Earlier today, Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) called on all mosques in the country to hold 'Solat Istisqa' (prayers for rain) to ease the haze phenomenon.
It's director-general Datuk Mohamad Nordin Ibrahim, in making the call, said Jakim had also sought cooperation from state Islamic religious authorities for the purpose.
Nordin said three mosques under Jakim, namely Masjid Negara (National Mosque) in the city, as well as Putra Mosque and Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque in Putrajaya, would be holding Solat Istisqa after Isyak prayers tonight. All Muslims are invited to join.