Haze Worsens In Northern Peninsular Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, July 17 (Bernama) -- The haze has worsened in northern Peninsular Malaysia and southern Thailand Monday with the air pollutant index (API) reaching the moderate level.
The API reading was 65 Monday, rising from below 50 Sunday.
According to a report posted on the Department of Environment (DOE) website, visibility was poor in Prai, Butterworth, Bayan Lepas, Sitiawan, Batu Embun, and Cameron Highlands.
Bintulu town in northern Sarawak also experienced poor visibility.
However, air quality was good in 15 areas and moderate in 36 areas nationwide.
Satellites at the Asean Special Meteorological Centre detected 188 hot spots in Sumatra, 148 in Kalimantan and 27 in Malaysia.
Meanwhile in PERLIS, State DOE director Aminudin Ishak said the API reading in the State was 65 but the air quality was good Monday.
"We are monitoring open burning activities which could aggravate the haze in the State," he said.
In KEDAH, API readings were between 60 and 79. Visibility was also good, which was more than three kilometres.
News report from Bangkok said some parts of southern Thailand especially Songhkla were shrouded in thick smog, forcing drivers to use headlights due to very poor visibility.