Heavy rain eases haze in Kuantan as air quality shows mixed improvement
A downpour in Kuantan lowered the Air Pollutant Index at Balok Baru to a moderate level, while other stations still reported unhealthy readings.
Strong rainfall across Kuantan reduced the Air Pollutant Index at the Balok Baru station to 80, classifying the air as moderate, after previously being in the unhealthy bracket. The Indera Mahkota monitoring point still logged unhealthy air, albeit with a modest decline. Across Pahang, Temerloh posted the worst API reading, while Jerantut and Rompin followed with similarly high values.
The state operates five monitoring stations in total. Schools in Kuantan, Pekan and Rompin resumed classes after a two-day shutdown, though the education department urged postponement of outdoor activities and mandatory mask wearing for students. The haze has been linked to seasonal forest and peatland fires in Indonesia.
Why it matters
Improved air quality can reduce health risks for residents and allow schools to reopen safely.
How this story developed
- Sep 27 Sumatra forest fires blamed for worsening haze over Johor and nearby regions
- Sep 28 A coalition of civil society and indigenous groups has filed a class-action lawsuit accusing the Indonesian government of failing to prevent massive forest and peatland fires in West Kalimantan.
- Oct 5 The Department of Environment reported that Malaysia contributed only about 3% of fire hotspots detected by satellite in southern Southeast Asia, with most occurring in Indonesia's Kalimantan and Sumatra.
- Oct 7 All five regions of Singapore recorded unhealthy air quality on Thursday, with the western area posting a 24-hour PSI of 161.
- Oct 10 Kuala Lumpur and Singapore now record AQI levels that place them among the world’s most polluted major cities.
- Oct 10 The class‑action suit moved to a hearing in Pontianak, where no defendants were present.
- Oct 12 Malaysia's foreign minister said he will raise the transboundary haze problem at the upcoming ASEAN foreign ministers gathering, urging stronger regional measures.
- Oct 13 Updated satellite data reveal further growth in Sumatra's fire hotspots.
- Oct 13 Deputy Minister Syed Ibrahim said evidentiary gaps hinder legal action against overseas firms.
- Oct 15 Singapore’s health ministry announced subsidies limiting out‑of‑pocket costs for haze‑related illnesses.
- Oct 15 PM2.5 peaked at 288, the highest in a decade, and mask shortages emerged.
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