SHAH ALAM, Oct 1 — Selangor’s Johan Setia logged the highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading in the nation at 157, while three other local stations also had unhealthy readings, at 12pm today.
According to the API Management System (APIMS) portal, the three stations were Shah Alam (152), Klang (151), and Banting (114).
The remaining two Selangor stations had moderate readings of 95 (Petaling Jaya) and 74 (Kuala Selangor).
In Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya recorded an API reading of 152 and Cheras was at 120.
Seven areas nationwide had good air quality, with the lowest figure in Sarawak’s Limbang (39).
With the Bahrain Grand Prix to be held tomorrow, Sepang International Circuit (SIC) chief executive officer Azhan Shafriman Hanif said the venue is working with the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) and Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) to monitor air quality ahead of the race.
“We have made various preparations aimed at achieving ideal conditions. But if conditions are not ideal, we have to assess the situation at that time.
“In terms of haze, we have a threshold value (API level) for cancelling or postponing the race. With cloud seeding, we hope the resulting rain will help reduce the haze and that the API (Air Pollutant Index) level will not be as high as expected,” Azhan said.
Meanwhile, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin’s Assoc Prof Azman Azid said the haze could remain until early next year, according to a Kosmo! report.
“Based on my observations, current rainfall is not yet enough to put out all the fires in (Indonesia).
“The haze remains a possibility and could persist until early next year, depending on weather conditions and wind patterns,” he added.
The haze has also caused iconic Kuala Lumpur landmarks such as the Petronas Twin Towers, TRX, and KL Tower to “disappear”.
An API reading of 0 to 50 is good, 51 to 100 is moderate, 101 to 200 is unhealthy, 201 to 300 is very unhealthy, and anything above 301 is hazardous.
