Latest news with #APIMS
The Star
6 hours ago
- 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
6 hours ago
- 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
2 days ago
- 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
2 days ago
- 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.
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Health
- Borneo Post
Mukah records unhealthy API as Sarawak faces moderate air quality
Mukah recorded an API reading of 153, the highest in the state and the country. KUCHING (July 28): The Air Pollutant Index (API) in Mukah recorded an unhealthy level as of 3pm today, while other parts of Sarawak recorded moderate air quality, according to the Department of Environment's (DoE) Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS). Mukah recorded an API reading of 153, the highest in the state and the country. Any API reading between 101 and 200 is categorised as unhealthy and may pose health risks to sensitive groups such as children, the elderly and individuals with respiratory conditions. Elsewhere across the state, API readings remained within the moderate range (51–100). Kuching recorded a reading of 75, followed by Samarahan (54), Serian (58), Sri Aman (55), Sarikei (65), Kapit (51), Sibu (63), Bintulu (69), Samalaju (78), ILP Miri (67), Miri (65), and Limbang (64). The Department advises the public to reduce outdoor activities and wear face masks when necessary, especially in areas with higher API readings. The DoE's API is calculated based on the average concentrations of five major pollutants: ozone (O₃), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulphur dioxide (SO₂), and particulate matter (PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅). Members of the public are advised to stay updated through official platforms and take necessary precautions, especially in areas experiencing deteriorating air quality and or the latest updates, visit Meanwhile, the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) reported a notable drop in hotspot activity across Sabah and Sarawak over the past two days. A total of 28 hotspots were detected on July 26, but only two were reported on July 27. Data for July 28 has not yet been released. The ASMC noted that isolated hotspots were still visible in parts of Borneo, Sumatra, and Peninsular Malaysia, with slight to moderate localised smoke plumes observed from some hotspots in western Kalimantan, eastern Peninsular Malaysia, and central Sumatra. It added that cloud cover over several areas hampered full detection of hotspots and the extent of haze in the region. Looking ahead, relatively dry conditions are forecast to persist across the southern Asean region, including much of Borneo. Only isolated showers are expected over parts of central and southern Sumatra, Java, and northeastern Borneo. 'Isolated hotspots and smoke haze activities may still occur over drier areas, with a chance of transboundary haze occurrence,' the ASMC said in an update this morning. The ASMC added that the prevailing winds over the southern Asean region are expected to blow from the southeast to south, which may influence the movement of smoke haze from hotspots in Kalimantan and Sumatra. Air Pollutant Index haze lead
