API readings drop in Selangor, KL due to rain
KUALA LUMPUR, June 17 — Heavy rainfall in most parts of the Klang Valley this morning lowered Air Pollutant Index (API) readings at four locations in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.
An API reading of 127 was recorded in Port Klang at 11am today, compared with 142 at the same time yesterday while lower readings were also recorded in Shah Alam (116), Kuala Selangor (110) and Petaling Jaya (102).
The API reading at 11am yesterday in Shah Alam was 130, Kuala Selangor (101) and Petaling Jaya (131).
According to a statement from the Department of Environment (DOE) today, 24-hour surveillance on 10 areas showed good API levels, 37 areas with moderate readings while no areas were deemed unhealthy.
The poor air quality was reportedly caused by cross-border haze being blown in from Sumatra, Indonesia, it added.
A satellite image issued by the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) showed 80 hotspots located in Sumatra compared with nine on Friday.
The satellite image also showed that the haze carried by southwesterly winds at hotspots in Riau, central Sumatra will move to the west coast of Peninsula Malaysia covering the Klang Valley.
The department stated they have mobilised the National Haze Action Plan and activated the Open Burning Prevention Action Plan in all states to monitor air quality nationwide.
The public have also been reminded that the prohibition on open burning in Selangor, the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya is still in force. — Bernama
