Latest news with #AirPollutantIndexManagementSystem
Borneo Post
31-07-2025
- Climate
- Borneo Post
Air quality in Mukah deteriorates further, records Malaysia's only unhealthy API reading of 160 as of 8am
Haze situation in Mukah yesterday afternoon. – The Borneo Post Team KUCHING (July 31): Air quality in Mukah has continued to deteriorate with an unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 160 as of 8am today. According to the Department of Environment's (DoE) Air Pollutant Index Management System (Apims) data, Mukah has recorded an API of 160 since 3am. At 12 noon yesterday, the API reading in Mukah was moderate at 98. Since then, the API for the area has moved steadily upward. All other areas under DOE's Apims in Sarawak maintained a moderate air quality level. The Borneo Post reported yesterday that Mukah was the only district in Malaysia to record an unhealthy air quality of 107 as of 6pm. Sibu recorded the second highest API in Sarawak at 90, followed by Miri and Kapit at 73, and Kuching at 71. Other stations in the state reported readings ranging from 58 to 69. An API reading between 101 and 200 is categorised as unhealthy and may pose health risks to sensitive groups, including children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory conditions. API readings of 51 to 100 show moderate air quality. The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a warning of thunderstorms, heavy rain, and strong winds for Kuching; Samarahan; Betong; Sarikei; Kanowit and Selangau in Sibu; Tanjung Manis and Daro in Mukah; Song, Kapit, and Bukit Mabong; as well as Tatau, Bintulu until noon today. The department said in a Facebook post that a warning is issued when there are indications of a thunderstorm with a rainfall intensity exceeding 20 mm/hour that is imminent or expected to occur for more than one hour. A thunderstorm warning is a short-term warning valid for a period not exceeding six hours for a single issue. Yesterday, the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) in a 5.22pm update reported scattered clusters of hotspots in western Kalimantan, along with a few to isolated hotspots in Sarawak, Peninsular Malaysia, and Sumatra. Related story: Mukah records Malaysia's only unhealthy API reading of 107 as of 6pm
The Star
30-07-2025
- Climate
- The Star
API readings in parts of Penang hit moderate levels
GEORGE TOWN: One may need a double take to notice the city, as things do appear slightly blurry due to the presence of light haze. With the south-west monsoon blowing squarely from Indonesia, the regional haze situation is making its mark. According to the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC), as of Tuesday (July 29) afternoon, several hotspots have been detected in Sumatra and Kalimantan, indicating ongoing large-scale slash-and-burn agricultural activities. While the haze remains at a moderate level, it may appear as a light blanket of smog over the skyline to the naked eye. The Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) recorded moderate air quality in several areas on Penang island as of 4pm Tuesday. Balik Pulau registered an API reading of 60, while George Town showed a slightly higher reading of 66. Tanjung Bungah, meanwhile, recorded an API of 31, which falls under the 'good' category. On the mainland, API readings ranged between 69 and 72 at various locations, also within the 'moderate' category. An API reading of between 0 and 50 is good while 51 to 100 is moderate, 101 to 200 is unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, and 301 and above deemed hazardous. The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), in a statement on its website, confirmed that transboundary haze is affecting several states along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. 'Based on satellite image analysis dated July 18, 2025, the ASMC reported 79 hotspots in Sumatra, which are likely contributing to the haze being carried over by the south-westerly winds,' the statement said. MetMalaysia also warned that no significant rainfall or wind changes are expected in the near term to help disperse the haze. 'The public is advised to avoid open burning activities, as this can further worsen the haze and contribute to environmental pollution,' it added. Despite the haze, the weather forecast for Penang over the next few days includes isolated thunderstorms, with temperatures expected to range between 25°C and 30°C.
Borneo Post
30-07-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
Mukah records Malaysia's only unhealthy API reading of 107 as of 6pm
Haze situation in Mukah in the afternoon of July 30, 2025 – The Borneo Post photo KUCHING (June 30): Mukah is currently the only district in Malaysia recording an unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API), with a reading of 107 as of 6pm today, according to the Department of Environment's Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS). An API reading between 101 and 200 is categorised as unhealthy and may pose health risks to sensitive groups, including children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory conditions. Other monitoring stations across Sarawak reported moderate air quality (API 51–100). Sibu recorded the second highest API at 90, followed by Miri and Kapit at 73, and Kuching at 71. Other stations in the state reported readings ranging from 58 to 69. Meanwhile, the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) in a 5.22pm update reported scattered clusters of hotspots in western Kalimantan, along with few to isolated hotspots in Sarawak, Peninsular Malaysia, and Sumatra. 'Slight to moderate localised smoke plumes were observed emanating from hotspots detected in the parts of Kalimantan, as well as the northern and central parts of Sumatra. 'The full extent of the hotspot and smoke haze situation over the southern Asean region could not be determined due to cloud cover,' it said.
New Straits Times
29-07-2025
- Climate
- New Straits Times
Clear skies across Malaysia today, no unhealthy air recorded
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia recorded clear skies and no unhealthy air quality levels nationwide today, according to the Department of Environment's Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS). Three locations, Langkawi in Kedah (48), Tawau in Sabah (45) and Rompin, Pahang (37) reported good air quality levels. Meanwhile, 60 other locations registered moderate air quality, including several areas in the Klang Valley and Negri Sembilan. Among them were Kuala Selangor (81), Johan Setia (78), Shah Alam (76), Cheras (75), Nilai (75) and Batu Muda (74). No locations recorded unhealthy air quality as of 10am, and no transboundary haze has been reported, signalling stable atmospheric conditions across the country.
Borneo Post
29-07-2025
- Climate
- Borneo Post
NREB records moderate air quality at all 18 API stations across Sarawak as of 8am
KUCHING (July 29): The Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) has detected moderate air quality at all 18 of its stations throughout Sarawak this morning. As of 8am, Lundu recorded an air pollutant index (API) reading of 88 – the highest among the 18 stations – compared to 79 at 4pm yesterday. The lowest API reading at 8am of 52 was recorded in Lubok Antu, which recorded a reading of 45 at 4pm yesterday. Meanwhile, Sibu and Miri registered API readings of 75 and 68 respectively at 8am today compared to 63 and 68 at 4pm yesterday. Kuching's API reading this morning was unchanged from the 74 recorded at 4pm yesterday. An NREB spokesperson said the board uses Air Quality Monitoring Stations (AQMS) in Lundu, Tebedu, Lubok Antu, Lawas, and Bario, while the other 13 stations in the state use the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) under the Department of Environment (DoE). According to the NREB website, a reading of 0 to 50 is considered good – low pollution without any bad effect on health, while a reading of 51 to 100 is considered moderate – moderate pollution that does not pose any bad effects on health. An unhealthy status of 101 to 200 is said to worsen the health condition of high risk individuals such as those with heart and lung complications. The very unhealthy level of 201 to 300 is said to affect public health, worsening the health condition of those with heart and lung complications. Any reading above 300 is hazardous and will endanger the public, especially high risk individuals.
