SHAH ALAM, Aug 9 — Johan Setia has recorded an unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 152, making it the only area in Selangor among seven locations nationwide to register unhealthy air quality, as reported by The Star.
Six other areas in Sarawak also recorded unhealthy API readings — Serian (170), Samarahan (156), Bintulu (155), Kuching (154), Samalaju (152) and Sri Aman (153).
According to the Regional Haze Situation report issued by the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) at 10.56am today, dry conditions are expected to persist across much of the southern Asean region over the next few days.
“The prevailing winds over the southern Asean region are expected to blow mainly from the southeast or south.
“Clusters of scattered to widespread hotspots were mainly detected in West and Central Kalimantan and the southern parts of Sumatra, while few isolated hotspots were detected elsewhere in the southern Asean region.
“Moderate transboundary smoke plumes were observed in West Kalimantan, drifting northwards into the western parts of Sarawak.
“A few air quality stations in West and Central Kalimantan, and the central and western parts of Sarawak recorded unhealthy levels,” ASMC reported.
The agency also warned that prolonged dry weather in fire-prone areas could worsen hotspots and smoke haze, increasing the possibility of transboundary haze.
Several forest fires have been reported in parts of Sumatra and Borneo since the start of the month.
Fires on the two islands frequently occur during dry spells and can contribute to haze in parts of Malaysia.
