Selangor steps up haze preparedness as unhealthy API readings persist

The state will intensify preventive measures if API readings reach 101–150, activate wider disaster-management coordination at 151–200, and consider school closures and cloud seeding at 201–300.

The Selangor government has stepped up coordinated haze-response measures after air quality in parts of the state reached unhealthy levels, with agencies placed on heightened readiness according to Air Pollutant Index (API) readings.

At 6pm on 27 August, Johan Setia recorded an API reading of 152, while Shah Alam recorded 113, placing both areas in the unhealthy range. State authorities said they will continue to monitor local readings and scale interventions according to pollution levels under the National Haze Action Plan.

The measures were decided at a meeting of the Selangor State Disaster Management Committee, chaired by State Secretary Dato’ Dr Ahmad Fadzli Ahmad Tajuddin.

For areas with API readings between 101 and 150, authorities will intensify preventive measures, including limiting non-essential outdoor activities, postponing outdoor programmes for children and vulnerable groups, and strengthening monitoring and enforcement at industrial areas and landfills.

If readings rise to 151–200, the state and district disaster management committees may be activated, alongside enhanced operational coordination, inter-agency monitoring and public-health messaging.

At readings between 201 and 300, schools, kindergartens and childcare centres may be closed in accordance with current regulations. Authorities will also increase enforcement readiness, conduct haze-trajectory forecasts of up to 72 hours and consider cloud-seeding operations, depending on cloud cover and weather conditions.

Should the API exceed 300, Selangor said it will further strengthen disaster-management operations, pollution-control measures, enforcement and coordination with federal agencies.

The Department of Environment, local authorities, Fire and Rescue Department, State Health Department, State Education Department, and other relevant agencies have been tasked with coordinating their actions based on developments in affected areas.

Health authorities report rise in respiratory and asthma cases

In further updates, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said 17 monitoring stations nationwide recorded unhealthy API readings at 8am on 26 August. These included five stations in Selangor: Shah Alam, Johan Setia, Klang, Banting, and Petaling Jaya.

The ministry noted an improvement from the previous day, when 31 stations had recorded unhealthy readings. However, it said haze conditions remained ongoing in some locations, particularly in Sarawak, while conditions elsewhere could change quickly.

MOH’s daily monitoring through 58 sentinel health clinics and 18 hospital outpatient departments also found a sharp increase in haze-related illnesses. Acute respiratory tract infection cases rose from 1,637 cases in epidemiological week 32 to 3,674 cases in week 33, an increase of 124.4%. Asthma cases rose from 61 to 219, while conjunctivitis cases fell slightly from 157 to 146.

To tackle this, the ministry said it is strengthening disease surveillance, medical services, supplies of medicines and equipment, as well as ventilation and air-conditioning systems at health facilities. It is also expanding health education and risk communication, particularly for high-risk groups.

Children, older persons, pregnant women and people with heart or respiratory conditions are advised to minimise outdoor physical activity when air quality is unhealthy.

Selangor said it is prepared to distribute face masks to vulnerable groups if needed. MOH also advised people to avoid unnecessary time outdoors, postpone strenuous outdoor events and seek medical treatment if they feel unwell. People with chronic heart or respiratory conditions should continue taking prescribed medication.

Schools told to halt outdoor activities

Apart from the above, the Ministry of Education (MOE) has directed state education departments, district education offices and educational institutions to immediately stop outdoor classroom, co-curricular and sports activities in areas where the API exceeds 100.

For areas where API readings exceed 200, schools in the affected area or district must close immediately, according to the ministry’s guidance.

Schools have also been instructed to ensure sufficient clean drinking water, encourage students to drink water regularly and work with nearby clinics and hospitals in case students develop complications linked to haze or hot weather.

Ongoing school-level sports events may be moved to safer locations or held indoors, depending on local API readings.

Conditions expected to improve, subject to weather

Based on the Malaysian Meteorological Department's (MET Malaysia) forecasts using 24-hour PM2.5 concentration measurements, most Selangor districts were expected to experience unhealthy air quality on 28 August.

Conditions were forecast to improve on 29 August, with most districts expected to return to good levels on 30 August, subject to changes in weather and atmospheric conditions.

MET Malaysia will continue to provide state and district disaster agencies with weather forecasts, haze-smoke movement projections of up to 72 hours using the HYSPLIT model, drought monitoring, consecutive dry-day notifications and forest-fire risk information.

Members of the public are advised to monitor API readings in their local area through the Department of Environment’s Air Pollution Index Management System (APIMS).

READ MORE: Haze in Malaysia: 29 areas record unhealthy air quality as haze situation worsens

Infographics / Ministry of Education Malaysia Facebook