Sarawak is worst hit, unhealthy air in Samarahan

Star: PETALING JAYA: Sarawak was the state hit hardest by haze yesterday.
A total of 225 hotspots were detected across the border in Kalimantan, resulting in moderate Air Pollutant Index (API) readings in most major towns in the state, with Kuching recording a reading of 94.
The Samarahan area, however, saw an unhealthy reading of 103.
Visibility was also affected in certain parts of the state, dropping to as low 3km.
In Selangor, all areas recorded API readings of moderate levels, ranging from 58 to 85.
Kuala Selangor saw an increase from 73 on Sunday to 85 yesterday while Port Klang recorded a minimal change from 78 to 79.
Both Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur recorded readings of 60, representing an improvement from 62 and 69 respectively.
Over in Sabah, a fortnight of stormy weather across the state was followed by haze yesterday.
Visibility in various parts of Sabah and Labuan was described as “manageable” with Kota Kinabalu recording 6km and Labuan, 4km.
The level was 7km in Tawau but remained at over 10km in Sandakan.
Sabah Meteorological Department director Tan Chen Kok said the haze had been blown in from the Kalimantan area.
Major towns in the state had air quality of moderate levels, with Kota Kinabalu recording an API reading of 69.
Readings for Tawau was 79, Keningau (65) and Sandakan (50).
API readings are categorised as good (0 to 50), moderate (51 to 100), unhealthy (101 to 200), very unhealthy (201 to 300) and hazardous (301 and above).
Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman yesterday asked DOE and other relevant agencies to take steps to check the level of air pollution in the state.