KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 (Bernama) -- The Air Pollutant Index (API) in several
areas in the Klang Valley worsened further with an additional area recording an
unhealthy API this evening, compared to three previously.
A Department of Environment (DOE) index release as at 5 pm today showed that
the API in Cheras had deteriorated to 105, compared to a reading of 91 earlier.
The API in Port Klang and Shah Alam went up to 147 and 120 respectively,
compared to 130 and 106 this morning whereas Kuala Selangor showed a slight
improvement at 129 in contrast to 131.
The three areas with unhealthy API are Kuala Selangor (129), Port Klang
(147) and Shah Alam (120).
Meanwhile, 34 areas recorded a moderate API reading between 51 and 100,
while the number of areas with ''Good'' API dropped to 12 from 14 earlier today.
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HAZE - API 2 KUALA LUMPUR
Among the areas with ''moderate'' API were Petaling Jaya and Batu Muda, Kuala
Lumpur at 99, Banting (95), Sri Manjung (92), Tanah Merah (88), Putrajaya (78)
and Perai (74).
A statement from the DOE had said that the bad air quality in the Klang
Valley and Perak since this morning was due to haze drifting in from Sumatra,
Indonesia.
The haze is expected to last for several days due to the forecast of a
continued dry spell being experienced in several northern and west coast states
at the moment.
It added that the satellite image by the Asean Specialised Meteorological
Centre showed an increasing number of hotspots in Sumatera, Indonesia since
Tuesday.
The image also showed the haze drifting from Riau, Central Sumatera heading
towards the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia.
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HAZE - API 3 (LAST) KUALA LUMPUR
Meanwhile, a weather forecaster at the Meteorological Department said that
rainfall is unlikely to occur soon.
"We forecast slight rain in the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia towards
middle or end of next week," he said.
The country is currently experiencing the Southwest Monsoon, which generally
brings dry and hot weather. These conditions are expected to last until
September, he added.
-- BERNAMA
VMP AKT PA