Visibility across the capital dropped today as haze blanketed the city, with two areas recording unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings.
The Kuala Lumpur skyline appeared visibly hazy as air quality deteriorated, with Cheras recording an API reading of 159 and Batu Muda 152, according to data from the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) portal.
An API reading between 101 and 200 is classified as unhealthy.
The readings in Kuala Lumpur came as haze affected several parts of the country, with 17 areas across six states and two Federal Territories recording unhealthy API levels as of 8 am today.
Sarawak recorded the highest readings, led by Sri Aman at 167, followed by the Serian district police headquarters at 166 and Samarahan at 162.
In Selangor, Johan Setia and Shah Alam each recorded 158, while Klang registered 151, Banting 144 and Petaling Jaya 123.
Negeri Sembilan also recorded elevated readings, with Nilai at 162 and Seremban at 158, while Putrajaya recorded 159.
Other areas with unhealthy readings were Tangkak in Johor at 153, Bukit Rambai and Alor Gajah in Melaka at 143 and 128 respectively, and Taiping in Perak at 108.
Meanwhile, the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) will hold Solat Hajat at three mosques tonight following the haze affecting the country.
The special prayers will be held after Maghrib at the National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, Putra Mosque and Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque in Putrajaya.
JAKIM director-general Datuk Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee called on Muslims to join the prayers and pray for protection, health, safety and peace for those affected by the haze.
As of 8 am, 49 areas nationwide recorded moderate air quality while two areas recorded good readings. No areas recorded very unhealthy or hazardous readings.
An API reading of 51 to 100 indicates moderate air quality, while readings between 201 and 300 are classified as very unhealthy and those above 300 as hazardous. API data is released hourly based on readings from 68 air quality monitoring stations nationwide.
