KUALA LUMPUR: The haze blanketing much of Malaysia reached dangerous new levels today.
In Negri Sembilan, Port Dickson became the first district to see its air quality enter the “very unhealthy” range, as it registered an Air Pollutant Index (API) of 211 at 8am today.
The state’s Education Department has responded by ordering all schools in the district closed.
“As the API reading breached 200 at 6am this morning, all students in Port Dickson are forbidden from going to school today.
“Teachers who are unable to avoid performing their duties are advised to wear a face mask,” it said in a statement.
In Sarawak, Sri Aman’s air quality reached the “hazardous” level at 8am today, with its API recorded at 365.
Kuching is the next worst-hit area in the state, with a “very unhealthy” API reading of 219 this morning.
With the haze worsening, the state Education Department ordered 298 schools across the state closed today. It said the closure affects 128,291 students.
In Selangor, Johan Setia Klang continues to languish in polluted air, with its API reading at 8am this morning registered at a “very unhealthy” 232.
Meanwhile, the Selangor Education Department announced yesterday that 138 schools in Sepang, Hulu Langat, Kuala Langat, Klang and Petaling Perdana would be closed today. The closure affects 179,843 students, it said.
Nationwide, 29 areas are experiencing “unhealthy” air this morning; two districts have registered “very unhealthy” API readings; and one area has hit the “hazardous” air quality level.
API readings as of 8am today:
Perak
Seri Manjung – 177
Kuala Lumpur
Batu Muda – 156
Cheras – 146
Putrajaya – 179
Selangor
Kuala Selangor – 174
Petaling Jaya – 159
Shah Alam – 170
Klang – 193
Banting – 174
Johan Setia Klang – 233
Negri Sembilan
Nilai – 199
Seremban – 174
Port Dickson – 211
Melaka
Alor Gajah – 177
Bukit Rambai – 192
Melaka City – 168
Johor
Segamat – 145
Batu Pahat – 112
Kluang – 109
Tangkak – 132
Pahang
Temerloh – 137
Jerantut – 112
Indera Mahkota Kuantan – 118
Sarawak
ILP Miri – 107
Miri – 126
Samalaju – 113
Bintulu – 129
Mukah – 140
Sibu – 166
Sarikei – 148
Sri Aman – 365
Samarahan – 160
Kuching – 219
The API, issued by the Department of Environment, categorises a reading of between 0 and 50 as good; 51-100 (moderate); 101-200 (unhealthy); 201-300 (very unhealthy); and 300 (hazardous).