PUTRAJAYA: Eleven air quality monitoring stations nationwide recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of 3pm Wednesday, while one station in Sarawak recorded a very unhealthy reading as the haze situation persists.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES) said the unhealthy readings included Cheras, Kuala Lumpur (122); Putrajaya (121); Shah Alam, Selangor (112); and eight stations in Sarawak, namely Miri (152), Samalaju (120), Bintulu (154), Sibu (135), Sarikei (161), Sri Aman (158), Samarahan (177) and Kuching (177).
The IPD Serian station recorded an API reading of 204, placing it in the very unhealthy category.
NRES said the haze situation, which has affected the country since Aug 8, was linked to the El Niño phenomenon coinciding with the Southwest Monsoon, resulting in below-average rainfall in several areas, particularly southern Peninsular Malaysia and western and southern Sarawak.
It said the combination of low rainfall and high temperatures increased the risk of water shortages, forest and peatland fires, and haze.
In Sarawak, the deterioration in air quality was attributed to transboundary haze as well as local fires, including a landfill fire under the supervision of the Sibu Municipal Council involving about 1.5 hectares and forest and bush fires in Sri Aman covering about 100 hectares. Firefighting operations at both locations are ongoing.
Satellite monitoring by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa-20) on Tuesday detected 12 hotspots in Malaysia, comprising one in Pahang and 11 in Sarawak, compared with 60 in Sumatra and 354 in Kalimantan.
NRES said dry weather was expected to persist across most southern Asean countries, increasing the risk of hotspots, haze and transboundary haze.
Asean Alert Level 2 has been in effect since Aug 3, requiring countries in the southern Asean region, including Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Timor-Leste, to submit daily reports and emergency response measures for fire and haze incidents.
On Wednesday, based on the Regional Haze Map and information from the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre, dry conditions prevailed across the southern Asean region, except for parts of northern Sumatra that experienced rain.
The report said isolated hotspots were detected in central and southern parts of Sumatra, as well as southern and eastern Kalimantan, in addition to several hotspots in Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak, Java and Sulawesi.
Moderate smoke plumes were observed in West and Central Kalimantan, while light smoke plumes were detected in southern parts of Sumatra.
The ministry said it, together with the Department of Environment and Malaysian Meteorological Department, would continue monitoring weather, air quality and haze developments, while relevant agencies were implementing measures under the National Haze Action Plan and National Open Burning Action Plan.
Members of the public in affected areas are advised to reduce outdoor activities, wear face masks, stay hydrated and refrain from open burning.
Official API readings are available via the DOE's Apims website or the MyJAS EQMS application, while weather information can be obtained from Met Malaysia or the myCuaca application.
